Police swooped on eight addresses in Harlesden early this morning in a dawn drugs raid.

Dozens of officers dressed in riot gear raided a property in Wendover Road at 5am where they found a stash of drugs and bundled cash.

By 6.30am, the cops, supported by the Territorial Support Group, had forced entry to a further seven properties and made five arrests.

The raid, accompanied by the Times, was the second phase of a drugs bust in Harlesden that has taken months of intelligence gathering as part of Operation Hope.

Phase one, on February 28, saw a total of 18 people arrested, two firearms seized and more than a kilogram of class A drugs found.

While no arrests were made at the property in Wendover Road, Brent police confirmed a quantity of “brown substance” and “white powder”, believed to be class A drugs, were found at the address as well as “a bundle of rolled up £50 notes”.

Insp Rob Webb said: “Today’s activity was very successful. Since 5am we’ve raided eight addresses and as result of those eight warrants executed we’ve arrested five who were concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Drugs found in Wendover Road, Harlesden as part of a police dawn raid (Picture: Met Police)Drugs found in Wendover Road, Harlesden as part of a police dawn raid (Picture: Met Police) (Image: Archant)

“This is all part of Operation Hope.

“We have netted so far 23 individuals and those 23 indiviudals will all be concerned in the supply of drugs in the Harlesden area.

“This is part of a coordinated operation with Brent Council and associated agencies to tackle crime, specifically knife crime and the supply of drugs, violence and antisocial behaviour in the Harlesden area.”

He added: “Part of this operation is about taking the gangs out of Harlesden who deal with drugs as they are often associated with this kind of behaviour. We want to take them off the streets.

“We are aware of the community calling out for action and this is our coordinated response to address that call for help.”