Police hold 18 men in second raid on house for immigration offences

Published: 30 April, 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

POLICE battered down the front door of a house in Finsbury Park and arrested 18 men for immigration offences.
Two men were deported immediately while two others were arrested for theft and assault offences.
The house had no electricity or running water.
This was the second raid on the property in Isledon Road owned by the Guinness Trust housing association – a month ago a raid resulted in other men being removed. It is understood the trust plans to pull the house down and rebuild on the site.
In the latest raid, a small amount of heroin, cannabis and methadone was found along with a laptop, 12 mobile phones and identity cards. A 17-year-old was handed over to care services and given a caution for possession of cannabis.
A neighbour saw police battering down the door and four or five handcuffed men brought out. Katherine Fernades, 17, said: “There were loads of police cars and vans. They took out the dogs and these people came with that thing you break down the door with, knocked down the door, and that’s when they started bringing out everyone.”
Some of the men appeared to be attempting to get rid of items in their pockets until police stopped them, she said.
Inspector Andy Mariner, who led the operation, said: “This is an excellent example of police, Home Office and local authority units working together.
“Some exceptional work over the last two months culminated in the raid, which will no doubt have a significant long-term effect on the quality of life in the area.”
Phillip Sharp, from the Guinness Trust, said: “ It is important we safeguard all property for which we are responsible and we are grateful to the police for helping us to achieve this.”