Massive Drug Bust Sees 16 Arrested Across East London
Police have ramped up their crackdown on drug crime with 16 fresh arrests in East London. This latest haul pushes the total to a staggering 145 arrests since March 2020.
£13,000 Cash and Class A Drugs Seized in Raids
On Wednesday morning, officers executed simultaneous search warrants across multiple boroughs including Hackney and Tower Hamlets. From four addresses, police confiscated thousands in cash and numerous wraps of suspected Class A drugs.
One venue alone yielded around £13,000 in cash. The 16 suspects, aged between 18 and 53, are now in custody facing conspiracy to supply Class A drugs charges.
Operation Continuum Hits Drug Gangs Hard
Since its launch in 2019, Operation Continuum has been a relentless assault on the East London drug trade. The joint effort involves the Met Police, local councils, and housing associations.
- 103 search warrants carried out since March 2020
- 145 arrests leading to 259 total charges
- 12 convictions totaling nearly 23 years behind bars
- 1600 officers deployed in the fight against drugs
The operation targets the violent crime often linked to drug markets, aiming to clean up neighbourhoods and reduce fear among residents.
Leaders Back the Ongoing Crackdown
Detective Superintendent Mike Hamer, Gold Commander for Operation Continuum, said: “Continuum is here to stay. Our joint efforts have disrupted drug dealers and brought positive feedback from local communities. The arrests, convictions, and seizures show our success, supported by strong partnership working and intelligence sharing. We will keep targeting those behind drug-related violence to bring them to justice.”
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, added: “Tackling drug dealing and making our neighbourhoods safer remain top priorities. Operation Continuum has delivered fantastic results, and these recent raids show we’re making real progress getting drug dealers off our streets. We won’t tolerate crime in our borough and will continue working with the police to disrupt local drug markets.”
