Gun seized and 17 people arrested in police drugs raids across Leeds

A HANDGUN has been seized during aÂ Â major crackdown on the organised supply of heroin and cocaine in Leeds which has seen 17 people arrested in a series of raids across the city this week.

The police operation has seen warrants executed and searches conducted over the last four days at 43 addresses in Harehills, Chapeltown, Seacroft, Gipton, Meanwood, Kirkstall, Woodhouse, Little London, Rothwell and Morley.

Armed officers have been involved in a number of the warrants due to intelligence around the criminal use of firearms linked to the illegal drugs trade.

This week’s arrest phase has followed months of painstaking work to gather evidence on those suspected of being involved in several ‘ring and bring’ drug dealing phone lines behind the supply of heroin and crack cocaine on the streets of the city.

A handgun, drugs, cash, vehicles and more than 60 mobile phones have been seized during searches of the addresses targeted.

Of those arrested, a total of 13 have been charged with offences relating to the supply of Class A drugs. The majority of those have already appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court to be remanded in custody until further court appearances.

Chief Superintendent Paul Money, Leeds District Commander, said: “This week’s arrest phase is the culmination of a landmark operation designed to deal a major blow to the organised criminal groups behind the supply of Class A drugs in the city.