Police arrest 20 in Dalston Junction drugs crackdown

Police officers swooped in on Dalston Junction and Ridley Road on Tuesday (July 19), arresting 20 people, in a crackdown on class A drug dealing.

Police officers swooped in on Dalston Junction and Ridley Road on Tuesday (July 19), arresting 20 people, in a crackdown on class A drug dealing.

The raid was the climax of four month-long Operation Marsican by Hackney Police, council officials and the UK Border Agency.

Nineteen people were arrested and quizzed on drugs charges including possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Officers made an additional arrest for immigration offences only.

Chief Supt Steve Bending, Hackney borough commander, said: “By using a combination of enforcement and intervention, we are aiming to reduce anti-social activities such as drug dealing, drug taking, and the associated criminality that goes hand-in-hand with the supply of illegal substances.”

The Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe said: “I hope that the significant results achieved through Operation Marsican bring about a lasting improvement to the area, and serve as a warning to the minority involved in criminality that their behaviour will not be tolerated in this borough.”