On Friday night at around 9 pm, a rapid entry search for drugs was made on the Coopers Arms Public House, High Road, Chadwell Heath.
Dozens of officers from Barking and Dagenham Police stormed the building sealing all off all exits as they entered containing around 110 customers.
The Operation was conducted following information being received relating to drug use and drug dealing by customers that use the pub. After being searched, those customers not carrying drugs were asked to leave quietly.
Aside from the usual couple of obstructive individuals who had over indulged in alcohol, the searches took place quickly and smoothly with co-operation from both the licensee of the premises and the people drinking in the bar.
Also included in the impressive line up of specially trained officers were drug outreach workers and staff from the Council Licensing Office. The “public order” trained officers are used for operations where dugs and alcohol are involved as these can be extremely volatile situations and can very quickly turn to chaos. Public Order Officers are trained to take control of riotous situations very fast in order to protect the safety of those law abiding customers who are just there for a night out.
Six arrests were made for possession of class A illegal substances, and a variety of drugs were found dropped on the floor.
When the last of the drinkers had been searched and those arrested were safely deposited in the custody van for transport to Barking Custody Office, the Coopers Arms Pub was closed for the night.
Inspector Ian Piggott said: “I am sending a clear message to the public that the dealing and taking of illegal substances will not be tolerated on this borough. We will continue to work with our borough partners and raid any public house that is seen to be accommodating drug related activity. If you think that you can carry drugs, take drugs, and deal drugs in pubs we’ll be seeing you soon.”