In total 16 arrests have been made since this morning.
At 3.20am 14 were arrested by officers from the local Basic Command Unit, firearms and traffic and Taskforce officers as they carried out three firearms warrants at one site in Lower Bedfords Road and two sites in Benskins Lane.
The suspects were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including: possession of a firearm, indecent assault, grievous bodily harm, assault on police, possession of class B drugs, money laundering, theft of a vehicle and immigration offences.
A sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, an imitation firearm, as well as large amounts of cash and a quantity of class B drugs, believed to be cannabis, have been seized.
Searches will continue at the locations over the coming days.
Commander Dave Musker, who led the operation, said: “This was a major firearms operation, which has seen us initially arrest 14 people and remove a dangerous weapon off the streets, as well as drugs and cash.”
“We will continue to search the locations over the next 48 hours to ensure that any further evidence linked to criminality is recovered so officers can thoroughly investigate.”
Some residents had been asked to leave their homes and are temporarily staying at Central Park Leisure Centre, on Gooshays Drive.
Tags: Harold Hill
