The Law Today The Drug Files

  Police officers from across the Met have carried out a targeted operation to tackle offences that can often blight the lives of local communities. On Saturday, 29 May, officers deployed a series of tactics to combat violence, drug offences and thefts, whilst also providing crime prevention advice in north Westminster. Units from the Central West BCU – which covers Westminster – were joined by colleagues from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, Violence Suppression Units and Operation Venice. Static stop sites were implemented at two locations on the borough to target any offenders who may use London’s roads to distribute drugs. Officers also patrolled the area on foot and in cars to crackdown on violence and knife crime. Six vehicles were seized for offences including driving without insurance and driving not in accordance with a licence. Officers were also joined by members of the Met’s Volunteer Cadets, who carried out test purchase operations to discover whether any shopkeep

  Members of an organised crime group which intercepted rival drug gang couriers to seize hundreds of thousands of pounds have been jailed for more than 64 years. Six people – including a former Metropolitan Police officer – were sentenced on Thursday, 13 May at Southwark Crown Court after admitting a range of offences following an investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards’ Anti-Corruption Command. Kashif Mahmood, 32 – a PC based at Central East until his dismissal without notice in November - had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire criminal property and misconduct in public office. He was jailed for eight years. The court heard he used police vehicles and resources to take cash from the couriers in carefully planned operations led by a contact orchestrating events through an encrypted communications network. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid, Directorate of Professionalism, said:   “Mahmood may have been a police constable in name, but he wa

  More than 240 children and vulnerable adults, exploited into drug trafficking, have been safeguarded by the Met in a crackdown on county lines. The Met took part in the latest national county lines intensification week, which ran from Monday, 17 to Sunday, 23 May. Hundreds of officers from units and boroughs across the Met came together to target county lines gangs and safeguard the children and vulnerable adults they exploit. The Met collaborated with multiple forces across the country resulting in: - 190 arrests; - 249 vulnerable people safeguarded, including 119 children. The following was also seized throughout operations: - 8kg (2,887 wraps) of Class A drugs; - More than 11kg of Class B drugs including 199 cannabis plants; - Four firearms, two imitation firearms, ammunition and a CS spray; - 17 knives and one axe; - 27 drug lines run from London to counties. This includes removing the mobile phone and the line holder to shut it down; - £126,000 in cash; - Criminal assets includi

  Officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command seized over £5 million following a protracted operation focused on firearms offences and large scale drug supply across London Three men were sentenced on Friday, 28 May at Harrow Crown Court after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property. They were: R S, 36 (07.04.85), of Selcroft House, Glenister Road, Hackney was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment. S Au, 46 (14.07.74) of Windward Road, Rochester, was sentenced to three years and four months' imprisonment. S Ah, 35 (29.07.85) of Pycroft Way, Edmonton was sentenced to one year and eight months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.   Detective Superintendent Jason Prins, from the Specialist Crime Command, said : “As part of a long running operation against gun crime and large scale Class A drugs supply across London, over five million

  Officers from Havering and local partners have held a ‘day of action’ targeting drug dealing and the associated anti-social behaviour. The planned activity that took place in Havering on Tuesday, 25 May, resulted in Class A and Class B drugs being seized from 12 people, two vehicles being seized for no insurance and the recovery of one stolen vehicle.   In addition, a 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He was taken to an east London police station and was subsequently released on bail to return on a date in mid-June. In addition, partners from the London Borough of Havering engaged with residents across 196 addresses providing them with a letter encouraging them to engage with their local ward officers and Havering Council regarding any issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour. Police Sergeant Richard Ruane, said:   “The sale and use of drugs can have a hugely negative effect on the quality of life for local residents and businesses, not to mention the l

  Six men, who ran a highly organised operation, have been jailed as the result of a proactive drugs investigation Officers recovered drugs with a street value of more than £10m after the group were seen transporting them between London and Birmingham in October 2020   Sentencing took place on Tuesday, 11 May at Southwark Crown Court. Commander Richard Smith, said:   “This was a successful and intricate investigation and in total, these six defendants were responsible for transporting millions of pounds worth of drugs into and out of London. “The drugs seized on the day of arrest were valued at between £4.1m and £4.9m wholesale, and at least £10.9m street value. “Thanks to the excellent work of our officers and police staff, a number of serious offenders have been removed from the streets. “There is an inextricable link between drugs and serious violence, and the Met continues to bear down on those intent on causing harm to our communities through crime. The team should be commended fo