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.

Two men, including one dubbed “Mr Big”, were arrested at the house while several vehicles were also seized at the property.

A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said they had no information on the identity of any Irish nationals arrested as part of the raids, although it is believed they are normally resident in Britain.

Police said among those arrested were Londoners as well as Israeli and Iraqi nationals.

It is estimated the gang was laundering about €4m-€5m per week by converting sterling into euro banknotes.

London Met spokesman, Det Supt Steve Richardson, said the swoops were the final blow to dismantle the gang’s network in culmination of a six-month operation.