Police today arrested 21 people in a crackdown on Class A drug dealing and gangs in Hackney.
In a series of dawn raids officers swooped on addresses in Hoxton after a 19 month investigation aimed at tackling gang and serious crime on the borough.
All those held were being questioned on suspicion of intent to supply Class A drugs, mainly crack cocaine.
Officers recovered £35,000 worth of drugs and seized plants from a small cannabis factory.
Most of those arrested were in their 20s.
The raids come weeks after the murder 19-year-old Joseph Burke-Monerville who was shot as he sat in his car in Clapton in a case of mistaken identity.
The first phase of the operation has seen 18 people charged with dugs offences after raids two weeks ago.
Hackney borough commander Matthew Horne said: "For the second time in two weeks Hackney Police alongside colleagues across the Met and Hackney Council have made a significant amount of arrests aimed at those who choose to blight our communities with drugs dealing, street crime and gang related violence.
"For those who want to leave gangs there are options; for those that don't there are operations like today's."
Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire, the officer leading the investigation said: "This has been a long term operation target some of the most dangerous and disruptive criminals in Hackney. Today's arrests are significant and will have a positive impact on the community."
The police operation has been partly funded by Hackney Council.
