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18/05/2007
New agency seizes £3 billion of cocaine
The Serious Organised Crime Agency has seized 73 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of £3 billion during its first year of operation, it has been revealed.
In its first annual report, Soca revealed that the cocaine seized represented a fifth of Europe’s estimated annual supply.
Soca also seized 1.5 tonnes of heroin, 4.4 million ecstasy tablets, 260 kilos of opium and a million doses of LSD over the past year.
The report also said that the agency had helped to prevent 35 murders and had also drawn up a list of more than 1,600 of the worst criminals in Britain.
Soca also revealed that three criminals had been recruited as 'supergrasses' to provide information. However, it is not known if they received softer sentences in exchange for turning 'Queen's Evidence'.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "In its first year Soca has made a real impact by seizing large quantities of class A drugs, making well over 1,000 arrests and preventing massive amounts of fraud - these are all fantastic achievements."
However, Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said: "Soca has had some notable successes with regards to the disruption of Class A drug trafficking both into Europe and specifically into this country.
"However, the Soca report acknowledges that these disruptions are 'probably temporary' and that at this point it is too soon to expect to see evidence of the dislocation of criminal markets in the UK.
"Over time Soca will need to devise effective and transparent indicators to demonstrate how its activities are impacting on the harms caused to UK individuals and communities by drugs. There should be no let up in efforts to tackle the demand for drugs, through prevention, education and drug treatment."
Soca began operating last April after the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the National Crime Squad and other law enforcement agencies merged.
(KMcA/JM)
In its first annual report, Soca revealed that the cocaine seized represented a fifth of Europe’s estimated annual supply.
Soca also seized 1.5 tonnes of heroin, 4.4 million ecstasy tablets, 260 kilos of opium and a million doses of LSD over the past year.
The report also said that the agency had helped to prevent 35 murders and had also drawn up a list of more than 1,600 of the worst criminals in Britain.
Soca also revealed that three criminals had been recruited as 'supergrasses' to provide information. However, it is not known if they received softer sentences in exchange for turning 'Queen's Evidence'.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "In its first year Soca has made a real impact by seizing large quantities of class A drugs, making well over 1,000 arrests and preventing massive amounts of fraud - these are all fantastic achievements."
However, Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said: "Soca has had some notable successes with regards to the disruption of Class A drug trafficking both into Europe and specifically into this country.
"However, the Soca report acknowledges that these disruptions are 'probably temporary' and that at this point it is too soon to expect to see evidence of the dislocation of criminal markets in the UK.
"Over time Soca will need to devise effective and transparent indicators to demonstrate how its activities are impacting on the harms caused to UK individuals and communities by drugs. There should be no let up in efforts to tackle the demand for drugs, through prevention, education and drug treatment."
Soca began operating last April after the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the National Crime Squad and other law enforcement agencies merged.
(KMcA/JM)
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03 April 2006
Government launches agency to tackle organised crime
The government has launched an agency to help tackle serious organised crime. Dubbed 'Britain's FBI,' the Serious Organised Crime Agency Soca will tackle drug trafficking, organised immigration crime, money laundering and identity fraud by developing an intelligence picture of organised crime.
Government launches agency to tackle organised crime
The government has launched an agency to help tackle serious organised crime. Dubbed 'Britain's FBI,' the Serious Organised Crime Agency Soca will tackle drug trafficking, organised immigration crime, money laundering and identity fraud by developing an intelligence picture of organised crime.
13 August 2004
New heads of 'British FBI' named
The men who are to head up Britain's version of FBI – the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) – have been named today by the Home Secretary. The former head of MI5, Sir Stephen Lander, has been appointed as chair of SOCA, and will be responsible for setting the organisation’s vision and overall strategy.
New heads of 'British FBI' named
The men who are to head up Britain's version of FBI – the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) – have been named today by the Home Secretary. The former head of MI5, Sir Stephen Lander, has been appointed as chair of SOCA, and will be responsible for setting the organisation’s vision and overall strategy.
29 May 2015
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
07 September 2009
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
31 August 2012
Officers Injured In Chemical Alert
Eight police officers have been treated in hospital following a drugs raid. West Midlands Police attended a house in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, at around 12am, in support of officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), who executed a search warrant in relation to illegal drugs.
Officers Injured In Chemical Alert
Eight police officers have been treated in hospital following a drugs raid. West Midlands Police attended a house in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, at around 12am, in support of officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), who executed a search warrant in relation to illegal drugs.
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