42 men arrested for drugs offences in police raids across Tower Hamlets and Hackney

The Met Police have arrested 42 men as part of drug raids across London.

The arrests occurred on three separate dates in the early hours of 24 February, 1 March and 3 March, for offences including conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The raids in Hackney and Tower Hamlets are understood to be the result of two different long term investigations into county lines and organised drug dealing.

1kg of class A drugs, believed to be heroin and crack cocaine, were seized in the raids.

A number of ‘party bags’ containing MDMA and cocaine, along with £210,000 of cash and several watches worth more than £10,000 were also seized.

The 42 men arrested are believed by police to play a role in drug dealing networks, and involved with county lines operating around East London and into Essex and Sussex.

Police say a number of the men arrested have been intitially linked to a number of ‘violent incidents’ in recent years, including stabbings and the discharge of firearms.

The investigations, one led by local officers and the other by the Met's Specialist Crime Command, form part of Operation Continuum, an intelligence-led, phased operation established in response to ongoing reports of drug dealing, drug use and associated criminality in the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Lyons said: “These organised crime groups are strongly linked to violence and are a significant driver to drugs-related violence that we see cause devastation in our communities.

“We are working with our partners to support displaced drug users and provide the assistance and treatment they need. Working closely with local authorities means we are tackling violence from all angles and making our communities safer.

“Our relentless activity is having an impact. Violent crime is down with data showing reductions across serious violent crime categories.”

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “These raids are just the latest success of Operation Continuum, our ongoing partnership work with local police to tackle the drugs market in Tower Hamlets.

“We’re also supporting the victims of drug dealers by offering high quality drug treatment services. Following the raids, we had teams on the ground offering reassurance and supporting people to access addiction services, which will improve people’s health and help to prevent crime associated with drug taking.   

“I remain committed to working with the police to target people intent on breaking the law, and making Tower Hamlets a safer borough for everyone.”