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Firearms seized in police raids Firearms seized in police raids
(about 3 hours later)
Officers have uncovered a stash of hundreds of guns in what is described as one of the biggest weapons seizures in the Metropolitan Police's history.Officers have uncovered a stash of hundreds of guns in what is described as one of the biggest weapons seizures in the Metropolitan Police's history.
Three addresses were visited during dawn raids on Wednesday in Dartford, Kent, as part of an 18-month inquiry into shootings in north London.Three addresses were visited during dawn raids on Wednesday in Dartford, Kent, as part of an 18-month inquiry into shootings in north London.
A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying firearms during the raids, which involved 30 officers.A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying firearms during the raids, which involved 30 officers.
Law enforcement agencies in the US have carried out linked raids in New Jersey. Law enforcement agencies in the US have arrested a man in linked raids.
Pump-action shotguns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons were seized in the raids, carried out by the Met's Operation Trident team, which investigates gun crime within London's black community. The suspect was held in the state of New Jersey by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which has been liaising with the Metropolitan Police (Met).
Two homes - one of which was where the weapons were found - and a commercial premises were visited by detectives. Pump-action shotguns, automatic, semi-automatic weapons, M16 rifles, revolvers as well as antique firearms and ammunition were seized in the raids, carried out by the Met's Operation Trident team, which investigates gun crime within London's black community.
It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis Plain clothes police officers from Operation Trident raided the house
Two homes - one of which was where most the weapons were found - and a commercial premises were visited by detectives.
Four firearms were seized at the second residential address and cash was found at all three.
The operation - codenamed Mokpo - was launched 18 months ago following a spate of shootings in north London involving rival gangs.The operation - codenamed Mokpo - was launched 18 months ago following a spate of shootings in north London involving rival gangs.
Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis, from Operation Trident, said: "This is the biggest firearms haul we (Operation Trident) have ever had.Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis, from Operation Trident, said: "This is the biggest firearms haul we (Operation Trident) have ever had.
"The premises raided were used to store hundreds and hundreds of weapons. I have never seen anything like it."The premises raided were used to store hundreds and hundreds of weapons. I have never seen anything like it.
It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis Q&A: Operation Trident
"There are guns everywhere. It will take us at least three days to log it all and bag up the evidence."There are guns everywhere. It will take us at least three days to log it all and bag up the evidence.
"It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals.""It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals."
The arrested man, who is a registered gun dealer, was led out under a blanket from his semi-detached house - which has a US flag flying from it - at about 1000 BST.The arrested man, who is a registered gun dealer, was led out under a blanket from his semi-detached house - which has a US flag flying from it - at about 1000 BST.
He has been taken to a north London police station for questioning.He has been taken to a north London police station for questioning.
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