17/04/2009

Gun Found During Leeds Drugs Swoop

Police in North East Leeds have seized a revolver and a large quantity of class A heroin following two raids on properties in the Chapeltown and Meanwood areas of the city.

Officers working as part of Operation Quartz - tasked with targeting drug dealers across the city - raided a property off Potternewton Lane on Wednesday.

The team discovered a Brocock 9mm revolver and an amount of heroin estimated to have a street value in excess of £30,000.

In a further raid carried out by officers from North East Leeds CID and West Yorkshire Police's Operational Support Unit, a 54-year-old man was arrested from an address on Meanwood Road after officers found a further supply of heroin hidden in a toilet.

Earlier this year police arrested 44 suspected drug dealers from across Leeds as Operation Quartz swung into action.

Chief Superintendent Gerry Broadbent, Divisional Commander for North East Leeds and the lead officer for the district on drug crime, said: "This significant drug and firearm seizure acts as a demonstration of out ongoing commitment to tackle all those involved in the supply of drugs across the city.

"Drug crime is intrinsically linked to so many other areas of criminality and following on from the large number of arrests we made earlier this year we will continue to target those involved in every level of drug crime across Leeds.

"The effect drug crime has on our local communities can often go unseen but the violence and fear that surround it can permeate both local areas and local people.

"It is my intention that we remain focused and determined as we continue to tackle this issue and make the communities of Leeds safer and stronger places to live."

(PR/JM)

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