POLICE bust 'teen drug factory' seizing firearm as lockdown war on dealers continues

A POLICE crackdown on drug supply during the lockdown continued this morning with thousands of pounds in cash, drugs and a loaded handgun seized during a dawn raid in Tower Hamlets in which seven people were arrested.

Officers from the Central East Gangs Taskforce team executed a drugs warrant at an address in Eric Street, in east London. Seven people were detained, four of whom as they attempted to flee. Several hundred grams of drugs were thrown from the balcony in an attempt to dispose of it in the process. Officers searched the property and discovered a large scale drugs operation in place. Several bricks of suspected heroin and crack cocaine were recovered, with approximately 1,000 wraps of each packaged up. A ten-ton press and a money counting machine were also seized, as well as approximately £12,000 in notes and £15,000 in coins.

LOADED: 9mm firearm found on cooker (Met Police)

A Met Police spokesman said: "Also found in the kitchen, on top of a cooker and wrapped in a towel, was a loaded 9mm firearm with magazine. This has been seized and taken for specialist analysis." Six males, all believed to be aged in their teens to 20s, and one female, aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, manufacture of class A drugs and firearms offences. All are currently in custody.

STASH: Thousands of pounds in coins were also seized (Met Police)

Detective Sergeant Sam Livesey, said: “My team are delighted to have seized such a substantial amount of drugs and a dangerous weapon. This is the result of our hard work and will make London’s streets all the safer. “The Gangs Taskforce at Central East, covering Hackney and Tower Hamlets, are absolutely committed to targeting the most serious and violent criminals. Operations like this are evidence that if you are involved in serious criminality, you can expect to see us at your door soon.”