Police in East London have intensified their crackdown on drug crime with 16 new arrests made across the region. This latest operation brings the total number of arrests under Operation Continuum to 145 since March 2020.
On Wednesday morning, officers executed simultaneous search warrants at multiple locations in boroughs including Hackney and Tower Hamlets. From four different addresses, police seized thousands of pounds in cash and numerous wraps of suspected Class A drugs. One single venue yielded approximately £13,000 in cash.
The 16 suspects, aged between 18 and 53, are currently in police custody and face charges of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Operation Continuum, launched in 2019, represents a sustained effort to combat the East London drug trade. The initiative is a joint operation involving the Metropolitan Police, local councils, and housing associations.
Since March 2020, the operation has conducted 103 search warrants, resulting in 145 arrests and a total of 259 charges. There have been 12 convictions so far, with sentences totaling nearly 23 years in prison. Over 1,600 officers have been deployed as part of this ongoing campaign against drug-related crime.
The operation specifically targets the violent crime often associated with drug markets, aiming to improve safety and reduce fear in local communities.
Detective Superintendent Mike Hamer, Gold Commander for Operation Continuum, stated: “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, also commented: “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.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
