A police “enforcement” team based in Brighton and Hove have seized counterfeit goods worth £1.1 million and more than five tonnes of drugs in its first 18 months.
Sussex Police said: “It has been an action-packed first 18 months for Brighton and Hove’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU), a specialist team of officers who tackle the area’s most wanted, prolific criminals.
“The close-knit team of eight police constables, one special constable and a sergeant first came together in July 2020 and have already seized over £1 million in counterfeit goods, thousands of kilograms of drugs and taken dozens of offenders into custody.
“As well as supporting local and national policing operations, the TEU carries out targeted disruption, enforcement and patrol activities aimed at perpetrators of serious violence, organised crime and ‘county lines’ drug gangs.
“While all of Sussex Police’s officers are highly trained, the TEU has a set of skills suited to specialist operations such as advanced methods of entry if there is a door that needs to be breached, enhanced driving skills, plain clothes tactics for covert operations and even capabilities for a chemical or nuclear incident.
“Since Brighton’s TEU was formed, the team has supported 47 divisional, force and national level operations and executed 60 individual court search warrants, resulting in the seizures of
- 2,004kg of class A drugs
- 3,241kg of class B drugs and 1,700 intact cannabis plants
- 200kg of other illegal substances
- £1.1 million of counterfeit goods
- 50 prohibited weapons including seven firearms
- Over £90,000 of illegally obtained money
…
“When not committed to operations, the group is on standby to assist with ongoing incidents.
“On Monday 13 December, a member of the public reported a potential drug deal and stabbing in St Mary Magdalen Street, where one of the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.
“The TEU self-assigned to the incident and had located the vehicle within minutes of the call coming in.
“It was stopped, searches discovered drugs and a large knife and two men were taken into custody.
“A 19-year-old, from Brighton, was arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of an offensive weapon and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine).
“A 22-year-old, from East Preston, was arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of class B drugs (cannabis), taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving without insurance or a licence.
“Both were released under investigation while inquiries continue.
“In August, TEU officers were patrolling Pavilion Gardens in plain clothes as part of an operation targeting areas of concern in Brighton.
That is great news! Well done Brighton & Hove TEU.
At least eight of the pictured “weapons” are air rifles or toys. Top right even has an orange end cap, which should be a dead giveaway.
Personal experience of firearms in your world huh.
Wonder why that is.