In a dramatic pre-dawn swoop on November 27, police launched a bold crackdown on class A drug dealers in Ilford town-centre/" title="Town Centre" rel="nofollow">town centre. Officers seized cash, phones, and haul of suspected class A drugs, targeting the growing drug scourge head-on.
Big Bust: Nine Arrested as Cops Smash Ilford Drug Ring
Specialist units including the Territorial Support Group and Redbridge Safer Neighbourhoods Teams executed the raids, ending with nine suspects behind bars. Police say this is just the start of a relentless campaign to purge Ilford’s streets of deadly drugs.
Officers Vow: Fight Against Crime Will Not Let Up
Det Ch Insp Jackie Sweeney said: “This proactive operation is the result of dedicated work by our officers and partners, and it demonstrates our commitment to tackling the root causes of harm.”
“While nine individuals have been arrested, this is not the end of our efforts—further partnership work will continue to ensure our neighbourhoods remain safe and resilient.”
Local Leaders Rally Behind Police Safety Drive
Redbridge Council leader Kam Rai was on the ground during the raids, praising officers’ relentless determination.
“Seeing the early-morning raid first-hand was a reminder of the determination of the Metropolitan Police and the council’s community safety team to keep Redbridge safe.”
“We are continuing to invest in community safety in Redbridge. There’s more to do, but in partnership with the police, and with local people reporting issues that need attention; together, we can ensure Redbridge remains a safe borough for all of us to call home.”
Supt Clare McCarthy, head of Redbridge Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, added: “These arrests mark an important step, but our work doesn’t stop here. We are committed to driving forward a problem-solving approach that tackles the underlying issues behind crime and anti-social behaviour.”
