Three men have been arrested in Redbridge on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, supplying class A drugs, theft and human trafficking in eastern Europe.
They are among 58 people apprehended by the Met since October 7 in a bid to track down people wanted abroad who are residing in Britain.
A 25-year-old man was arrested for causing GBH and committing theft in Poland, while a 44-year-old man was arrested for causing GBH and supplying class A drugs in the same country.
And a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of trafficking for prostitution in Romania.
It’s a joint operation by the Met’s extradition unit and the National Crime Agency.
Det Ch Insp Julie Bidewell, who leads the unit, said: “This is a very promising start to the Met extradition unit’s partnership work with the National Crime Agency and is the first of many such operations to find suspects who are using the UK as a hiding place.
“This operation shows the Met’s utter commitment and determination in working with the National Crime Agency to help our counterparts across the globe locate suspects and convicted criminals.
“Many of the people we have arrested are wanted for incredibly serious offences, so it is also vital that we find these people who by being here in the UK may also be posing a threat to the British public.”
NCA fugitives unit head Dave Allen said: “The NCA is absolutely focused on cutting serious and organised crime, and in this operation a large number of individuals wanted for extremely serious crimes have been taken out of UK communities.
“This is the first operation of its type conducted jointly by the NCA and Metropolitan Police, and its success should send the clear message that if you are in the UK and wanted abroad, we will find you and ensure you face justice.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here