Yahoo News Police cracking down on brazen drug dealing in London's West End name 10 most wanted suspects
Police cracking down on brazen West End drug dealing exposed by the Evening Standard today named their 10 most wanted suspects.
Alexander Drummond, 29, is identified by detectives who say there is an “undeniable link” between the supply of drugs - including cocaine - and street violence in London.
Police also want to trace Endri Hoti, 31, Jermaine Harvey, 32, Jerry Lawson, 30, Leon Johnson, 40, Lorenzo Black, 29, Malcolm Smith, 40, Massihullah Mohamand, 33, Oliver Romana-Davies, 28, and Richard Dodworth, 42, over alleged offences in the Soho and Cambridge Circus area.
Dash-cam footage from a freelance photographer in Shaftesbury Avenue captured a deal on camera in broad daylight.
Crime figures showed drugs offences in the area soared by up to 38 per cent in a year.
The Met swiftly made 26 arrests in dawn raids in December and January.
Acting Detective Superintendent Kathryn Waite, from the Met’s Central West command, released the suspects’ images today, saying: “We are now asking for the public’s help – we want to hear from anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of these people so we can locate them as part of our effort to tackle drug supply, and the violence which we know is often associated with it.
“There is an undeniable link between the supply of drugs and the violence we have seen on the streets of London.
“Over the past few months we have been putting significant resource into disrupting the supply of drugs across London’s West End – particularly in the Soho and Cambridge Circus area.”
Officers said they worked closely with specialist units, the CPS and Westminster City Council to drive down the blatant drug dealing making life hell for people living and working in the area, visiting for a night out or going to the market.
Det Supt Waite added: “We often get asked by the public how they can help keep their communities safe – providing information such as the whereabouts of wanted individuals is extremely helpful in detecting crime, and preventing any further criminality.
“I know some people are reticent to pass on information for a variety of reasons – a main one being they fear they may be identified. But I want to stress that passing on information through Crimestoppers – who are entirely independent of us – keeps your identity anonymous.”
A Met spokesman added: “Do you know one of the featured individuals or know of them? If so, do you know what car they drive, or where they go regularly? Where they live?
“If you don’t know them, are they perhaps thought to be in your area? Would you recognise them if you saw them on the street?”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference number 6534748/19, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Read more
Cocaine and cash seized as police swoop on Theatreland drug dealers
