MicroBalrog
member
Hundreds of police in crime raids
10.45AM, 10 Dec 2003
More than 500 police officers have taken part in early morning raids targeting people suspected of involvement in organised crime in London.
Scotland Yard confirmed that Operation Tiller involved the biggest number of co-ordinated armed raids across the capital at any one time.
It was designed to disrupt organised crime, including drug dealing, blackmail, extortion and gun crime - particularly within the Turkish Kurdish community.
The operation began in the early hours when officers, 90 of whom were armed, executed 15 search warrants at addresses in Haringey, Hackney and Enfield.
Officers made 12 arrests, recovered a loaded handgun, three firearms, three machetes, drugs and seized counterfeit currency.
They also found stolen mobile phones and equipment for forging passports. All those arrested are in custody at three north London police stations.
More than 500 officers were involved in the operation including those from the Metropolitan Police firearms branch, the Turkish Crime Task Force, the National Crime Squad, the Territorial Support Group, the dog section, Immigration Service, Customs and Excise and local authorities.
Police said they were already planning more initiatives over the following months as result of intelligence gathered during the operation.
The raids follow Operation Narita in January which targeted venues where intelligence established links with organised crime and the violent disturbance in Green Lanes last year, which resulted in the murder of Alisan Dogan.
Superintendent Mark Benbow, of Hackney police, said: "We know Operation Tiller isn't an instant cure for organised crime problems within north London but it is the catalyst for long term prevention measures which demonstrates the Met's commitment to disrupt major criminals.
"The intelligence gathered will help us disrupt men of violence, particularly within the Turkish Kurdish community who are committing crimes against their own people.
"With the help of the community we can have a greater impact in tackling firearms, drug trafficking, blackmail and extortion."
10.45AM, 10 Dec 2003
More than 500 police officers have taken part in early morning raids targeting people suspected of involvement in organised crime in London.
Scotland Yard confirmed that Operation Tiller involved the biggest number of co-ordinated armed raids across the capital at any one time.
It was designed to disrupt organised crime, including drug dealing, blackmail, extortion and gun crime - particularly within the Turkish Kurdish community.
The operation began in the early hours when officers, 90 of whom were armed, executed 15 search warrants at addresses in Haringey, Hackney and Enfield.
Officers made 12 arrests, recovered a loaded handgun, three firearms, three machetes, drugs and seized counterfeit currency.
They also found stolen mobile phones and equipment for forging passports. All those arrested are in custody at three north London police stations.
More than 500 officers were involved in the operation including those from the Metropolitan Police firearms branch, the Turkish Crime Task Force, the National Crime Squad, the Territorial Support Group, the dog section, Immigration Service, Customs and Excise and local authorities.
Police said they were already planning more initiatives over the following months as result of intelligence gathered during the operation.
The raids follow Operation Narita in January which targeted venues where intelligence established links with organised crime and the violent disturbance in Green Lanes last year, which resulted in the murder of Alisan Dogan.
Superintendent Mark Benbow, of Hackney police, said: "We know Operation Tiller isn't an instant cure for organised crime problems within north London but it is the catalyst for long term prevention measures which demonstrates the Met's commitment to disrupt major criminals.
"The intelligence gathered will help us disrupt men of violence, particularly within the Turkish Kurdish community who are committing crimes against their own people.
"With the help of the community we can have a greater impact in tackling firearms, drug trafficking, blackmail and extortion."
, Art