Drugs found in crime estate police swoop
ECSTASY, heroin, cocaine and cannabis were discovered during a series of raids on one of Islington's most crime-ridden estates.
The huge drugs blitz on the Popham Estate, off New North Road, Islington, was ordered by Islington Council leader Terry Stacy and police chief Mike Wise after a joint visit before Christmas.
Residents complained about three flats in particular which were spreading fear through the estate - and now police have forced their way in and arrested the occupants.
Last Thursday, raids were simultaneously carried out at two separate addresses in Birdbrook House. Cannabis and a large quantity of cash were discovered at the first flat, and a man was arrested for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and money laundering. He has been bailed to until March 31 pending further inquiries.
At the second flat, four bags containing a large quantity of pills believed to be ecstasy and a small bag of herbal cannabis were found. A man was arrested for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of Class B drugs. He has been bailed to return to police on March 30.
A week earlier, on January 21, a man was arrested and charged with possession of Class A drugs - heroin and cocaine - and Class B drugs - cannabis - after police searched an address in Rotherfield Street. He is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court today (Thursday). Police are also seeking a Closure Order to prevent anyone living at or visiting this address for a set period of time.
Superintendent Wise, Borough Commander of Islington Police, said: "This is precisely the reason why the new Safer Neighbourhoods Task Force was set up - to help teams tackle problems like this on estates."
Councillor Stacy said: "Somebody brought up the issue of drugs at one of my supermarket surgeries in Angel, so I decided to take Mike down there and see for myself. We knocked on people's doors and asked them what the major problems were - and the residents identified these three addresses.
"They said there were people coming and going all through the night, large groups congregating outside, cars pulling up and all sorts of antisocial behaviour so we worked with the police to do something about it.
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