Drugs Squad officers arrested seven men after a raid on Shepherd's Bush Market.
Supported by the Territorial Support Group and local Safer Neighbourhood Team, the squad executed a warrant to stop dealers using the market to ply their trade. They descended on various stalls and restaurants where drugs were being openly stored and dealt and recovered a kilogramme of herbal cannabis and £2,000 in cash. Paraphernalia in the form of digital scales, bags and other packaging were also seized.
The market has long been a haven for dealers with its many nooks and crannies, dark alleyways and lack of CCTV giving the criminals the upper hand, but police believe they have now won the battle.
Detective Sergeant Simon Rogers said: "This operation highlights the Drug Squad's commitment to removing drug dealers from the streets of Hammersmith & Fulham.
"Shepherds Bush Market is a breeding ground for dealing with storage units, market stalls, containers, cafes and restaurants all hidden in dark alleyways and narrow corridors with inadequate CCTV.
"The dealers ply their trade from business premises which are often a front for their criminal activities. They are organized, they employ spotters 24/7 and have strategic stash locations within the market which makes policing very difficult.
"The operation was well planned and executed, and the results speak for themselves. We will continue to work with local SNT’S and partner agencies in a bid to remove the dealers from the streets of Shepherd's Bush.
The men arrested were a 52-year-old from Shepherd's Bush, a 50-year-old from Shepherd's Bush, a 50-year-old from Hammersmith, two 45-year-olds from Shepherd's Bush, a 40-year-old from Hammersmith and a 35-year-old from Shepherd's Bush.
* Anyone who may have information relating to drugs should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
