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LONDON - British police arrested 23 people in an armed raid today on a Rastafarian temple in south London.
About 250 officers arrived at the 32-room property, situated in a street lined with Victorian terraced houses, in the early hours in an anti-drugs and firearms operation.
The Metropolitan Police said the premises, which included a Rastafarian temple once visited by reggae musician Bob Marley, are suspected of being used for "high level" criminality.
Up to 600 people of all ages and ethnic groups travelled to the house in Kennington from across south-east England, mostly to buy drugs.
Police said several kilos of cannabis were recovered, along with an unspecified quantity of crack cocaine and six rounds of ammunition which was found hidden under floorboards.
"This operation is a joint initiative by police and the local authority aimed at protecting the communities in south London from serious criminality," police said.
Further searches of the house are expected to last for three days.
The premises, where a Rastafarian community has lived since at least the early 1970s, have been raided in the past to evict squatters.
Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth Council, said genuine Rastafarian worshippers shold be able to practise at a safe location.
"At some point the Rastafarian temple has been taken over by criminals intent on dealing drugs," Reed said. "This has seemingly forced out the peaceful and law-abiding worshippers.
"Now the temple will be closed. We have already spoken to Rastafarian community leaders in an attempt to find them another place to worship as quickly as possible."
- REUTERS
