Operation Target - pictures from the police raid in Queen's Crescent
MORE than 200 police officers yesterday (Wednesday) swooped on suspected class A drug dealers in a dramatic rush-hour operation.
Officers from Camden police, the Territorial Support Group (TSG) and the dog squad, backed by helicopter support overhead, took part in the operation at 5pm around a complex of concrete football and basketball pitches on the Queen’s Crescent estate.
Borough Commander John Sutherland and Camden’s Community Safety boss Councillor Abdul Hai joined officers in the raid which took place in response to recent gang violence, including a fatal stabbing.
At the time of going to press last night, 12 men had been arrested on suspicion of offences including conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to rob, possession of cannabis, making threats to kill and money laundering.
Follow-up raids of suspects’ homes continued into the evening.
Chief Supt Sutherland said: “This is about reclaiming the neighbourhood for the vast majority of law-abiding people who live and work here.”
Published: 21 July 2011
by JOSIE HINTON