Four arrests in raids on cannabis cafés

Police have arrested four people in a crackdown on Amsterdam-style cannabis cafés.

Scotland Yard made the arrests at two cafés in Camden, north London, after keeping them under surveillance for nearly two months.

Police said the cafés, Amsterdam of London and Ian's Hemp Bar, sold legal paraphernalia associated with cannabis but officers suspected drug dealers were operating at both. About 25 officers raided the cafés and seized 14 wraps of marijuana, two marijuana grinders and a small amount of cannabis resin from Amsterdam of London. Two men, aged 29 and 38, and a 21-year-old woman were arrested.

However, the café was still open for business yesterday, and a member of staff described it as a "head/smart" shop, which sold "smart products" that gave legal highs.

At Ian's Hemp bar, a 31-year-old man was arrested for possession of cannabis. During the raid, a samurai sword and lock-knife were seized.

Police hope the raids, on Tuesday, will counter impressions that their policy towards drug dealers has been relaxed in the wake of government plans to reclassify cannabis. From July next year, cannabis will be a class C, rather than class B drug, and police will no longer have automatic powers to arrest people for possession.