Stun grenades flare as heavily-armed cops in combat gear raid house in ‘UK’s biggest ever operation’ on organised crime
THIS is the moment tooled-up cops storm a house and fire stun grenades during the UK’s biggest operation against organised crime.
Dramatic bodycam footage shows heavily armed officers in combat gear raid the London property as part of Operation Venetic.
The blitz on organised crime has seen 746 arrests, and £54million cash, 77 firearms and two tonnes of drugs seized.
During the Met raid, a stun grenade is heard being fired before cops pile inside the property with weapons raised as more shots ring out.
Flashes from the Met Police officers’ weapons illuminate the darkness as the crack team steams through the house.
One startled suspect is lit up in his boxers shorts after an officer boots down the door and yells “police” as he points his weapon at him.
CRIME CRACKDOWN
Police in jet-black body armour and helmets are heard screaming out orders as they swarm from room to room hunting down suspects.
No live ammunition was fired during the daring nighttime sting, which was part of an unprecedented UK-wide op targeting “Mr and Mrs Bigs”.
Over the last three months European forces and the National Crime Agency (NCA) have shared data about gangs sending messages via encrypted communication system Encrochat.
Some 746 crime lords have been arrested across Britain after the “impregnable” encrypted phone system was hacked by law enforcement agents.
It is estimated the joint operation has foiled up to 200 potential murders and kidnappings.
“Iconic” crime figures are among those arrested, NCA Director of Investigations Nikki Holland said.
Around 60,000 people, among up to 10,000 in Britain, subscribed to the France-based EncroChat, which has been taken down.
The NCA has said its “sole use” was for criminals to trade guns, plot murders and kidnappings and launder money.
Thousands of cops and (NCA officers across the UK have seized £54million in criminal cash, with more than £13 million seized in London alone.
The NCA announced 77 firearms, including an AK47 assault rifle, sub machine guns, handguns, four grenades, and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition have been taken off the streets.
More than two tonnes of Class A and B drug were also impounded.
And 55 high value cars, 73 luxury watches and 28 million Etizolam pills (street Valium) from an illicit laboratory have also been claimed by law enforcement officers.
The Met says the huge bust has foiled murder plots, and led to the arrests of some of London’s most dangerous criminals.
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, whose force made 171 arrests, said the operation was a “game changer”.
Police in the capital have recovered 16 firearms, including Scorpion submachine guns and revolvers.
They have also seized more than 500 rounds of ammunition, 37 encrypted devices, 620kgs of Class A drugs and 19kgs of Class B drugs.
This operation is the most significant activity, certainly in my career, we have ever carried out against serious and organised criminality across London
Cressida Dick
Ms Dick said: “This operation is the most significant activity, certainly in my career, we have ever carried out against serious and organised criminality across London.
“Organised crime groups have used encrypted communications to enable their offending.
“They have openly discussed plots to murder, launder money, deal drugs and sell firearms capable of causing atrocious scenes in our communities.
“They were brazen and thought they were beyond the reach of the law.
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“This offending has a direct impact on our communities – those involved appear to have an air of respectability.
“But their actions leave a trail of misery and are inextricably linked to the violent scenes we see play out on our streets.”
A probe found approximately 1,400 London-based users of Encrochat.