Police have smashed an alleged county lines drug operation running from a flat opposite a school in east London, seizing a samurai sword, a Taser, crack cocaine, heroin, and over £1,000 in cash. More than a dozen officers stormed the first-floor flat in Dagenham on Tuesday morning following a tip-off from local residents who reported that crack dealers were making their lives a misery.
Police Action and Seizures
As part of an operation codenamed Gunnison, officers arrested seven individuals at the flat. Six were arrested on suspicion of possessing weapons, while a woman among the group was also arrested on suspicion of possession of heroin. One man was found to have breached his probation conditions and was returned to jail, and another was wanted for theft. The raid uncovered a cache of weapons, including a two-foot-long samurai sword and a Taser stashed in a bedroom. Officers also recovered a wallet containing £1,399 in cash, 27 wraps of crack cocaine, and a wrap of heroin. Two electric scales believed to be used for weighing narcotics were also seized, along with a phone thought to be used for taking drug orders from across London and neighbouring counties, including Essex.
County Lines Operation
The flat was allegedly run as a county lines drug operation, with cars frequently pulling up outside and couriers picking up and delivering drugs and cash. The vehicles would park outside the school opposite the flat, where deals were allegedly conducted. After a tip-off and weeks of surveillance, police raided the flat early Tuesday morning. Officers worked quickly to avoid being identified on the Ring camera at the door, which could have allowed those inside to dispose of the crack rocks. Inside, the flat was squalid and littered with what appeared to be drug paraphernalia. Police dogs later sniffed out the drugs.
Community Response
Locals in the block praised the police for their swift action. One neighbour offered to make the team tea, while a schoolgirl with her mother told an officer, 'I love the police.' The council will now investigate whether the flat is being 'cuckooed'—a term used when criminals take over the property of a vulnerable person to run their county line or other criminal operation. If not, it will be repossessed and the locks changed.
Police Statement
Following the raid, Dagenham Police Superintendent Biju Premnath told Metro: 'With the help of the public, we are making life very uncomfortable for these county lines. This flat was near a school, which is obviously very concerning. We work closely with the schools to give reassurance. I would like to praise the bravery and professionalism of the officers. The fact that a samurai sword was found highlights the dangers. Who needs a samurai sword?' He encouraged members of the public to come forward with tip-offs, adding they would remain anonymous.
Parent's Relief
A parent whose child attends the school near the alleged crack house told Metro: 'No parent should have to have their kids walking to school past cars collecting or dropping off drugs. They shouldn't have to see drug users shooting up in front of them. It's great that the police have acted and we are all very relieved.'
Wider Crackdown
In a week in March, the Met arrested 415 people and closed 115 county lines operations. During the so-called 'intensification week,' 85,000g of crack cocaine was also seized. Last year, they closed 1,500 county lines and arrested 5,000 people. Superintendent Premnath added: 'If you are running a county line, my message is we are coming for you. We are having successes and are putting resources into this with the help of the public.'
