New Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard has arrested 11 suspected drug dealers, six of whom were operating in Soho Reuters

Thirteen suspected London gang members have been arrested for their involvement in selling crack-cocaine and heroin in Soho.

More than 150 Metropolitan police officers took part in a series of dawn raids today as part of operation Parleytort.

Six of the suspects were arrested in the Soho area on Thursday night and activity continued into the early hours of this morning when a number of search warrants were executed at addresses across London and the remaining seven suspects were arrested.

Eleven people were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and two for going equipped to steal. All were taken into custody at central London police stations where they remain.

As part of inquiries officers have recovered a substantial amount of Class A drugs.

Detective superintendent Tim Champion, Trident central gangs unit, said: "Today's arrests are the culmination of an intelligence-led targeted operation by Trident and borough officers to tackle the supply of Class A drugs in one of the busiest areas of the borough.

"An issue which blights the local community, drug dealing operates primarily in an environment where fear or threat of violence is prevalent; and on this occasion we have arrested suspects of an organised criminal network we believe to be responsible for the main supply of drugs in the area.

"Taking this network out should have a significant effect on the availability of heroin and cocaine in Soho."

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