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Raids target £100m drug operation Raids target £100m drugs network
(10 minutes later)
Police have raided addresses in and around London and arrested 22 people in an operation aimed at "dismantling" a £100m drug trafficking operation.Police have raided addresses in and around London and arrested 22 people in an operation aimed at "dismantling" a £100m drug trafficking operation.
About 500 police officers were involved in raids on 30 homes and business premises believed to be linked to the cocaine and cannabis ring. About 500 police officers were involved in raids on 30 homes and business premises and an estimated 100 kilograms of cocaine was seized.
At one fortified house a digger was used to smash through a perimeter wall.At one fortified house a digger was used to smash through a perimeter wall.
Det Supt Steve Richardson said the raids stemmed from a six-month intelligence-led inquiry. Detective Superintendent Steve Richardson said the raids had struck a "huge blow" to the drugs industry.
Police also seized large quantities of cash and a number of guns.
SledgehammersSledgehammers
At a house in Hayes, west London, a police driver used a digger to break through the brick and steel perimeter wall shortly after 0500 GMT as a police helicopter hovered overhead.At a house in Hayes, west London, a police driver used a digger to break through the brick and steel perimeter wall shortly after 0500 GMT as a police helicopter hovered overhead.
Dozens of officers using sledgehammers and angle grinders burst into the house seconds later.Dozens of officers using sledgehammers and angle grinders burst into the house seconds later.
We have been systematically disrupting the activities of this gang and the purpose of these raids are to dismantle it altogether Det Supt Steve Richardson We have targeted the key players in a serious and organised criminal network culminating in a huge blow to the illegal drugs industry in the UK Det Supt Steve Richardson
Two men were arrested and several vehicles, including two Mercedes, a Hummer and a four-wheel drive Porsche parked outside were seized.Two men were arrested and several vehicles, including two Mercedes, a Hummer and a four-wheel drive Porsche parked outside were seized.
At another address in East Molesey, 30 officers burst into a house and searched two cars outside. A 53-year-old man of Egyptian origin was arrested.At another address in East Molesey, 30 officers burst into a house and searched two cars outside. A 53-year-old man of Egyptian origin was arrested.
Detectives said they believed a business had been used as a front for a massive criminal enterprise which involved laundering money from the proceeds of trafficking in cocaine and cannabis.Detectives said they believed a business had been used as a front for a massive criminal enterprise which involved laundering money from the proceeds of trafficking in cocaine and cannabis.
Police said those involved were from a variety of backgrounds. Some were "born and bred Londoners" while others were Irish, Israeli and Iraqi nationals.Police said those involved were from a variety of backgrounds. Some were "born and bred Londoners" while others were Irish, Israeli and Iraqi nationals.
Operation EaglewoodOperation Eaglewood
Speaking before the raids, Det Supt Richardson said: "For six months we have been targeting a network trafficking drugs and laundering money and we have made 20 arrests so far. Det Supt Richardson, who headed Operation Eaglewood, said: "Today's operation has been hugely successful. We have targeted the key players in a serious and organised criminal network culminating in a huge blow to the illegal drugs industry in the UK.
"These criminals have been living the lives of wealthy businessmen through criminal activity and today we have put a stop to this. We believe this network has been supplying drugs around the country, earning millions of pounds every week."
He said the investigation had succeeded in "taking out a group of ruthless and determined criminals who sought to profit from the sale of illegal drugs".
The raids took place across London and the south eastThe raids took place across London and the south east
"We have been systematically disrupting the activities of this gang and the purpose of these raids are to dismantle it altogether and to serve restraint orders freezing their assets both in the UK and abroad."
Det Supt Richardson said 70 kilos of cocaine had been recovered in the last six months as part of Operation Eaglewood.
Detective Inspector Martin Ford said the gang used a small number of bureaux de change to launder their "dirty money".Detective Inspector Martin Ford said the gang used a small number of bureaux de change to launder their "dirty money".
He said: "They have been laundering between £3m and £4m a week. They will take a suitcase full of £10 and £20 notes and exchange it for 500 euro notes.He said: "They have been laundering between £3m and £4m a week. They will take a suitcase full of £10 and £20 notes and exchange it for 500 euro notes.
"The beauty of the 500 euro note is that it's the highest denomination that is universally accepted. So they can convert a suitcase-worth of sterling into a quantity of euros which will fit in a small box.""The beauty of the 500 euro note is that it's the highest denomination that is universally accepted. So they can convert a suitcase-worth of sterling into a quantity of euros which will fit in a small box."
Police said they believed at least one of the bureau de change was involved in the criminal enterprise. Police said they believed at least one of the bureaux de change was involved in the criminal enterprise.