Chief Supt. Joe Royle said, �By working with the council and partner agencies, we are making a significant dent in drug dealers� pockets and helping clean up the community. A significant seizure being half a kilo of cocaine, that two people are awaiting trial for.�

The drug seizures include nearly 6 kilos of cocaine, 263 grammes of crack cocaine, 100g of heroin and 71 kilos of cannabis.

Cllr Edward Lister, Leader of Wandsworth said: �The council is putting its full weight behind Operation Shield. If anyone living on a Wandsworth estate is convicted of drug dealing they risk losing their home. We have a duty to protect the whole community from the damage caused by illegal use of drugs.�

The police say that their partnership with Wandsworth Borough Council tackles the social aspects of drug dealing and how it affects local estates. They aim to come down hard on anyone that uses council properties for drug dealing. 2 people are presently facing eviction for dealing class A drugs and 3 crack houses have been closed down.

Chief Supt. Joe Royle said, �Drugs aren�t the ultimate high; people suffer terribly from their addiction and part of Operation Shield is educating and providing sources of help for those who want to get clean."

Firearms seizures included a grenade as well as five real firearms and 16 imitation ones. Live ammunition and pepper spray has also been seized. Operation Shield has seen 259 people arrested for drugs offences. In addition £147,067 in cash, 3 Ipods and 11 mobile phones have been seized or confiscated.

In the year to September total crime in Wandsworth Borough fell by 10.1% but gun enabled crime was up by over 30%

Anyone with information on drug crime should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

October 27, 2005