Three Arrested in Fulham During Overnight Police Raids
Crackdown on violent crime included properties in Stephendale and Fulham Roads
Nine people were arrested early this morning, Thursday 12 April and a number of items seized from the properties, including a sub-machine gun, a hand-gun, ammunition, cash and large quantities of what is believed to be Class A drugs.
More than 200 officers from units across the Met took part in this morning's activity, which was led by Operation Viper and forms part of the Trident and Area Crime Command. The operation formed part of a combined and determined effort to identify and target violent criminals across London.
Police say warrants were executed at two addresses in Stephendale Road and one in Fulham Road, both in SW6, plus addresses in Nevern Place in Earls Court, Greenford,
Brentford and Northolt.
The arrests were made as part of an intelligence-led, five month operation targeting a violent and sophisticated gang operating in West London who is believed to be involved in drug supply across the city.
Officers used a range of covert and overt tactics to identify and target high-level, violent offenders.
The operation was supported by the Trident and Area Crime Command, borough officers and other specialist units, including firearms officers, from across the Met.
Commissioner Cressida Dick, who accompanied officers on the raid in Blenheim Close, said: "Tonight, after some really good, strong work over the last few months, we were in a position to go out and execute warrants in relation to a number of people.
"They are very violent - several of them have a history of violence. One at least is suspected of regularly using firearms and they are being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
"Not only have they been, as it appears to us, supplying crack cocaine and heroin but they've been making a huge amount of money doing it.
"They've been using violence, they've been exploiting vulnerable people and very young people, as young as 14, have been engaged in the drug dealing operation, so they need to be locked up.
"People like this, who may appear to have been operating with impunity for a period of time, cause devastation and fear. It sends a very strong signal to the public, who are very supportive in the police in these sorts of operations, that we are putting a lot of effort into carrying out work like this."
The six men and three women all remain in custody at a west London police station. Details of the arrests are as follows:
First address in Stephendale Road, Fulham: a 30 year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of firearms.
Second address in Stephendale Road, Fulham: a 14 year-old male arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Fulham Road, Fulham: a 17 year-old male arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Nevern Place, Earls Court: a 49-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Blenheim Close, Greenford: a 28 year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Glenhurst Road, Brentford: a 34 year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs; a 34 year-old woman arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and a 33 year-old woman arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
Dorchester Close, Northolt: a 29 year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
April 12, 2018