11/03/2011

Op Trazer 'Dismantles Criminal Networks'

A series of raids, led by Greenwich’s Violent and Organised Crime Unit (VOCU), have tackled the supply of class A and B drugs in the borough.

The police operation, code-named Operation Trazer, involved 1000 police officers and partners and targeted 45 addresses yesterday morning.

A total of 51 people were arrested, resulting in the disruption of several criminal networks.

Borough Commander Richard Wood said: “This operation has uncovered a network not linked to gangs which exist solely to support a criminal lifestyle where drug supply and money laundering are at the heart of it. I am confident we have disrupted a large network and made a dent in the lifestyle and profits of those involved in illegal activities.”

The Greenwich council funded VOCU have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months, using intelligence led undercover policing to gather evidence for this operation to go ahead. Today, assisted by the Specialist Crime Directorate and its covert operations, Territorial Support Group and Central Operations, the VOCU have been able to simultaneously hit addresses across Greenwich and London to take drug dealers out of business. It is believed that a total of six criminal networks will have been dismantled by today’s activity.

Officers made arrests for a number of offences including supply of Class A and B drugs, money laundering, possession of counterfeit money, burglary, handling stolen goods and theft related offences. Also recovered during the raids were a quantity of cocaine, four cannabis factories, a firearm, ammunition and various stolen goods.

(BMcN/KMcA)


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