Yard arrests 13 in raids to curb Tamil gangsters

Scotland Yard arrested 13 people today in raids across London aimed at cracking down on Tamil gangs.

More than 500 off icers searched 20 homes for drugs, weapons and evidence of creditcard fraud by suspected Sri Lankan criminals. They were also seeking seven Tamils in connection with murders in Ilford, Wembley and East Ham.

Police seized £11,000 cash, £4,500 of blank cheques, 69 credit cards, two computers, 15 video players and a £30,000 Mercedes from several addresses in Waltham Forest.

Two houses in Newham were raided by 100 officers at dawn looking for failed Tamil asylum seekers were living there. Credit cards and cloning equipment were found and five men were arrested for deception.

Police also seized ceremonial swords, axes, baseball bats, hockey sticks and pickaxe handles. A pistol, ammunition and passports were found at the home of two men found with cocaine during a stop and search.