Big Police Crackdown Hits Drug Dealers and Violent Offenders
Police from the Met and Essex, Sussex, Surrey, and Thames Valley forces joined forces to slam the brakes on drug dealers and violent criminals. Using ANPR tech on major routes linking London to the regions, officers targeted vehicles tied to county lines and drug trafficking.
The operation ran from 23 to 27 February and was coordinated by the Met’s Violent Crime Task Force. Over 100 officers worked across five counties in the mission dubbed Operation Pandilla.
Staggering Haul: Drugs, Weapons, and Arrests
- 18 people sent to DIVERT, a scheme to cut re-offending
- 49 knives and weapons taken off London’s streets
- 27 vehicles seized
- 78 drug-related incidents uncovered
- 154 arrests, including for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and offensive weapons
- 62 fixed penalty notices issued for breaching coronavirus rules
Highlights included a man caught with 250 wraps of suspected Class A drugs and another stopped with a large hunting knife tucked in his trousers.
Cash, Drugs, and Weapons Seized in E13 Stop
On 25 February, officers pulled over a car on Queens Road, E13, and arrested the driver for Class B drugs. A search revealed he was hiding Class A drugs in his clothing. At his home, police found £25,000 in cash, large amounts of cannabis, bricks of Class A drugs, and three bladed weapons.
Acting Inspector Pete Luciano: “Drugs and violence devastate lives and destroy communities. Operations like this are vital to making communities safer.”
“Offenders now rely on vehicles more than ever for their crimes. We’ve adapted and will not stop in our mission to keep London safe – the best city in the world.”
“Last year saw a 26% drop in violence, but we’re not resting. Drugs and violence affect more than just London – we must keep sharing intel and working together.”
“The link between drugs and violent crime is clear. We’re committed to removing illegal drugs and weapons and protecting the vulnerable.”
Speak Up to Fight Knife Crime
If you have info on knife crime, contact police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Your anonymity is guaranteed – they never ask your name and can’t trace your call or device.
Every tip helps fight knife crime in London. Worried someone might be carrying a knife? Support and advice are available from organisations like Knife Free and Fearless.
