Bookies raided in drugs swoop - Sunday 27th of November 2005
Crack cocaine, cannabis and a variety of weapons were seized during major police raids against drug dealers operating in Battersea last Thursday.
After months of planning, more than 50 police officers, including the Mobile Strike Team and Territorial Support Group finally got the go-ahead to storm William Hill on Battersea High Street.
A number of private homes were also raided using eight search warrants during Operation Alderaan, including one on Este Road in Battersea.
According to police a substantial quantity of crack cocaine and cannabis was recovered, as well as an imitation firearm and a number of other weapons, including air rifles and baseball bats.
Despite weapons being found in the raids the police officers who carried out the operation were unarmed as they were confident they could cope without carrying arms.
Seven men have now been charged with possession with intent to supply after an initial 16 arrests. One man has also been deported to the Caribbean.
Borough Commander Joe Royle was pleased with how the operation went. He said: "Its been an awful lot of hard work getting this off the ground.
"Drugs is a motivator behind so much crime and its by tackling the root cause of the problem that we succeed in taking drug dealers off the streets."
It is hoped the move will help the blighted area return to normality.
One local business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Anything that could be done to improve the area has got to be good.
"Its been really bad. People were afraid to bring their children here and women were afraid to walk down the street by themselves. It obviously doesnt do our business any good.
"People are afraid to come to the street quite a lot of the time because of the characters hanging around."
The operation was carried out with the co-operation of John Samuels, regional security manager for William Hill based in Finsbury Park.
He said: "We have a no drugs policy in our branches and display notices to that effect. The security department of the William Hill organisation continue to act in partnership with police on a range of anti crime and crime prevention initiatives and fully support the actions of the police in helping us to enforce this anti-drugs policy."
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