EIGHT people were arrested, with six being charged, after North Surrey Police conducted one of the largest drug crackdowns in the Isleworth, Hounslow, Sunbury, Shepperton, and Dagenham area.

The operation has culminated in the seizure of drugs and stolen property and the charging of six men for drug supplying offences, after more than 100 officers were involved in the operation, code named Hope, which targeted Class A drug suppliers in Spelthorne, specifically in the Sunbury area.

Six addresses were searched on Tuesday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 3, with drugs, money and stolen property seized, and six men appeared before Staines Magistrates yesterday (Thursday).

They were: Karl Andree Sylvester, 19, from Isleworth, who was arrested in Isleworth, on March 2; Shaun Alexander, 24, from Stratford, arrested in Shepherds Bush, on March 2; William Beattie, 32, from Sunbury, a 16-year-old from Acton, and a 15-year-old from Hounslow who was wanted by Metropolitan Police, were arrested on March 2, at an address in Spelthorne Grove, Sunbury; and a 16-year-old, from Isleworth, was arrested on the morning of March 3, in Isleworth.

All have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack) between Monday, December 8, 2003 and March 2, 2004.

In addition, Lee Phillip Howes, 23, from Shepperton, was arrested in Shepperton on March 3, for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin) on December 17, 2003; and an 18-year-old from Hounslow was also arrested in the early hours of Thursday, March 4, for conspiracy to supply.

Operation Hope was the result of months of research by North Surrey's Divisional Intelligence Unit, based at Staines Police Station, which built profiles of drug suppliers and their networks, and used analytical tools to identify locations and the individuals involved.

The highly successful operation was organised by head of the Intelligence Unit Detective Inspector Steve Hayes, who said: "The aim of Operation Hope was to dismantle an organised network of drug suppliers that were targeting the Spelthorne area.

"We have acted upon information from the community and have responded to the information by developing this intelligence and planning and co-ordinating this series of raids.

"I would like to extend my thanks to all the officers involved at every stage of the operation, from the planning stages several months ago, to the execution of warrants this week."

He added: "This type of operation illustrates Surrey Police is targeting serious crime, including the supply of Class A drugs.

"It also underlines the reassurance work we are undertaking in Sunbury and demonstrates that we will co-operate and respond to the fears of local people.

"It also shows the contributions from our Neighbourhood Specialist officers and Police Community Support officers who work so closely in the community in not only providing a visible presence on the streets but also helping in bringing more offenders to justice.

"I would also appeal to members of the public to get in touch if they think they have some intelligence about illegal drugs.

"If they want to remain anonymous, they can call Surrey Crimestoppers free of charge on 0800 555 111."