Eight arrests and nearly £100k seized in Luton after police raid nine addresses across town

Almost 180 officers and staff were involved in this morning’s (Thursday) early morning operation led by Bedfordshire Police.

It was part of a planned strike against a suspected organised crime network involved in the supply of illegal drugs and firearms in the Biscot Road area of Luton.

Information from members of the public provided vital clues for police working on the operation, which also recovered more than half a kilo of suspected Class A drugs.

Beds Police is contributing to the national Operation Venetic, which looks at criminal activity hidden using specialist encrypted phones. Cracking the codes on these phones is allowing police to intercept suspected crime networks.

Detective Chief Inspector Louisa Glynn said: “Breaking open the channels through which criminal networks communicate with one another has given us a once in a generation opportunity to stamp out organised crime from our communities.

“This has been another successful day in an operation which is already having a massive impact in Luton. The results above speak for themselves in terms of the drugs, cash and weapons we have taken off the streets.

“More widely, violent disorder incidents have continued to fall since the summer, while there have been no reports of firearms discharges or incidents of serious violence directly attributed to Bedfordshire’s organised crime groups or gangs since the beginning of August.

“This is making everyone safer, and is only made possible with the help and cooperation of our communities.

“Giving information about things like unexplained wealth or suspicious activity, either to us or anonymously through Crimestoppers, is crucial in order to help us bring those involved in these criminal networks to justice.”

A man in his 20s has been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs as a result of today's operation.

Seven other people remain in police custody for questioning.

Anyone with information about drug dealing, county lines or child criminal exploitation can contact Bedfordshire Police on 101 or via the force’s online reporting centre here.