Irishmen among suspects after London raids

SEVERAL Irishmen are believed to be among 22 suspected members of a huge international drugs gang arrested by British police yesterday.

London Metropolitan Police mounted a series of dawn raids on 30 homes and business premises in the greater London area as part of an operation to smash a €135 million cocaine and cannabis ring.

Police forced through a steel perimeter wall using a JCB at a mansion in the suburb of Hayes in west London backed up by dozens of officers with sledgehammers and angle-grinders. About 500 officers were involved in Operation Eaglewood.