24/09/2003

12 arrested in London-wide anti-drugs raids

Metropolitan police officers believe that they have ensnared the "top tier" of a Colombian drugs cartel following raids across London earlier this morning.

During swoops on 23 addresses in the capital, police arrested 12 people who are understood to be citizens of a South American country. A blitz by authorities in Colombia – working closely with their British counterparts – netted 15 people suspected of being members of a cartel.

Among items recovered by Metropolitan police officers was a bag containing around £250,000 in cash.

The raids – which involved around 100 officers – are understood to be the culmination of 18 months of investigations by the constabulary's Special Projects Unit.

Police have scored a series of successes cocaine smugglers linked to Colombia cartels and have confiscated around £20 million worth of the drug since the Special Project Unit's operation began.

(gmcg)

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