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Firearms seized in police raids | Firearms seized in police raids |
(10 minutes later) | |
Officers uncovered a stash of hundreds of guns in what has been described as one of the biggest weapons seizures in the Metropolitan Police's history. | |
Three addresses were raided during dawn raids on Wednesday in Dartford, Kent, as part of an 18-month investigation into shootings in north London. | Three addresses were raided during dawn raids on Wednesday in Dartford, Kent, as part of an 18-month investigation into shootings in north London. |
A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying firearms during the raids, which involved 30 officers. | |
Law enforcement agencies in the US have carried out linked raids in New Jersey. | Law enforcement agencies in the US have carried out linked raids in New Jersey. |
The weapons police have seized included shotguns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons. | The weapons police have seized included shotguns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons. |
It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis | It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis |
BBC London's crime correspondent Guy Smith said some of the firearms were legitimate but police suspect many others could be illegal. | BBC London's crime correspondent Guy Smith said some of the firearms were legitimate but police suspect many others could be illegal. |
He added live ammunition was discovered on the garage floor at one address. | He added live ammunition was discovered on the garage floor at one address. |
The Met's Operation Trident team, which investigates gun crime within London's black community, carried out the raids. | The Met's Operation Trident team, which investigates gun crime within London's black community, carried out the raids. |
Officers raided two residential and one commercial address at about 0600 BST. | Officers raided two residential and one commercial address at about 0600 BST. |
The weapons were found at one of the residential premises. | The weapons were found at one of the residential premises. |
The operation - codenamed Mokpo - was launched 18 months ago following a spate of shootings in north London involving rival gangs. | The operation - codenamed Mokpo - was launched 18 months ago following a spate of shootings in north London involving rival gangs. |
Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis, from Operation Trident, said: "This operation has resulted in hundreds of guns being taken out of circulation and has potentially prevented a number of serious injuries or even deaths occurring on the streets of London. | Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis, from Operation Trident, said: "This operation has resulted in hundreds of guns being taken out of circulation and has potentially prevented a number of serious injuries or even deaths occurring on the streets of London. |
"It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals. | "It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals. |
"Today's seizure demonstrates Trident's determination not only to target the gunmen but also tackle those who are responsible for supplying guns in the first place." | "Today's seizure demonstrates Trident's determination not only to target the gunmen but also tackle those who are responsible for supplying guns in the first place." |