Police in London say they have smashed a major international drugs network which had been importing large amounts of heroin into the country.

Detectives say the gang were responsible for putting £20m of heroin a week onto the streets.

Following a year-long undercover operation, detectives staged a number of raids on addresses in the London area.

They recovered several million pounds' worth of heroin and made a series of arrests. More arrests are expected.

Det Chief Insp John Shatford, who was in charge of the operation, says he believes his officers have discovered an international network of drug traffickers.

"We believe that all the heroin coming into this country goes to this gang in north London which acts as a clearing house," he said.

"It is difficult to imagine a more significant seizure. We are all very pleased."

"Our operation has concentrated on a major Turkish criminal network which we believe has been operating in north London as a clearing centre for the supply of drugs around the country."

Police later said that £100,000 in cash was also found during the raid.

Despite the importance attached by police to the success of their operation, a spokesman for the National Investigation Service of the Customs and Excise said the arrests would only temporarily disrupt the drugs trade, and that it would not be long before new links were established.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©