Brent Police seize guns, drugs and stolen mobile phones as part of Operation Hawk

Police made a total of 31 arrests including this 19-year-old man in Neasden (Image: Archant)

Brent Police seized firearms, drugs and closed down cannabis factories as part of a city-wide clampdown on drug offences yesterday.

Officers in the borough raided 43 premises in the second major day of action under the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Hawk targeting street level drug dealing in 32 London boroughs

A total of 31 arrests in Brent were made for possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of cannabis, cultivation of cannabis, possession of class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of firearms, handling stolen goods and breach of bail.

During the day police seized two shotguns, 100 rocks of crack cocaine, 12 stoles mobile phones at two address, and five blocked phones.

Two cannabis farms were discovered and at one of the properties in Hillview Close in Wembley, police found 50 full grown plants and cultivating equipment.

In addition to yesterday’s enforcement activity, the Met created a mobile ‘mock cannabis farm’ to help raise awareness amongst residents of the signs to look out for in their neighbourhoods, whilst highlighting the outcomes of cannabis production involving organised and violent crime.

The ‘mock farm’ was recreated inside a decommissioned police command vehicle, which will be taken to communities across London.

It is set up with recycled equipment recovered from farms, such as fans, lights, cables, along with other associated paraphernalia.

The creation of ‘the farm’ supports the recent launch of the Crimestoppers ‘scratch and sniff’ campaign to inform the public about the signs to spot and how to detect cannabis farms by recognising the specific smell of growing cannabis and asking the public

Sergeant Mark Kelly from Brent Police said: “Brent’s results were a great success with 31 arrests being made and a large amount of drugs seized and two cannabis factories close.

“Brent officers are committed to building on this success and to help us do this, we need to encourage the community to talk to us and report concerns and we will reward this trust by delivering swift results and telling people what action we have taken - this could include going to court for a search warrant, circulating a suspect as wanted, or increasing patrols in particular areas.

“With your help, we can make your local community safer, so please make the call and we will make it stop.”

Members of the public who have information about who is dealing drugs in their area are urged to contact their local Safer Neighbourhoods Team or dial 101, the police non emergency number.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.