24 Arrested in Massive Waltham Forest Drugs Raid
In a blitz that rocked Waltham Forest at dawn, 24 men were arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs. Over 300 officers from the Met’s North-East Proactive Gangs Unit and Territorial Support Group swooped on 27 homes and businesses between 4:45am and 7am in Walthamstow’s St James’s Street area.
Weapons, Drugs and Cash Seized in Early Morning Crackdown
The suspects, aged 16 to 32, are now in custody following a painstaking five-month investigation targeting violent crime drivers in the borough. Police also seized zombie-style knives, large quantities of drugs and cash, plus numerous phones that will help smash drug networks.
Top Cop Vows to Make Waltham Forest ‘Hostile’ to Crime
“The Met continuously works to disrupt and dismantle the toxic gangs supplying drugs to the capital,” said Richard Tucker, North East BCU Commander. “Our absolute priority is tackling violence — we’re committed to making Waltham Forest a hostile environment for criminality.”
“Cutting off drug supply and gathering intelligence keeps violence at bay across London,” Tucker added, praising the cooperative effort with Waltham Forest Council and officers who worked for months to plan the raids.
Council Steps Up with Community Safety Pledge
Community Safety Cabinet Member Cllr Ahsan Khan said: “The police have taken dangerous gang members off our streets — people who exploit young lives and spread misery.”
He described Waltham Forest’s Violence Reduction Partnership, which tackles youth crime through public health strategies and works closely with police, schools and health services to protect vulnerable youngsters from gang grooming.
The council pledged high-visibility patrols in the affected areas and ongoing communication with residents. Support and safeguarding will be offered to those identified as gang victims, even if not charged, to help them exit the drug trade safely.
