Clapham: Local gang member jailed for three years

A local man has been sentenced to three years in prison following a police raid on his Clapham South home that found large amounts of cash and class A drugs in his possession.

Known gang member Michael Richards was charged with three offences, including possession with intent to supply cocaine, heroin – both class A drugs – and cannabis, a controlled drug of class B.

On Thursday (January 6), the 22-year-old appeared at Inner London Crown Court where he received a three year custodial sentence for possession.

Officers in the Met's Violent Crime Task Force raided the Richards' home on Saxby Road, which borders Clapham South and Brixton, with a warrant last November.

Richards was found inside the address with a large amount of cash and multiple wraps of class A drugs later confirmed in laboratory tests to be heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis with a street value of around £1,000.

Inspector Dan Thompson, who leads one of the Met's Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF) syndicates, said Richards' sentencing exemplified how the VCTF can focus on the individuals driving up violence in communities through the supply of drugs.

"The distribution of drugs fuels violence and the associated criminality that accompanies it causes misery to local communities," said Inspector Thompson.

"This is a great example of how the VCTF are tasked to an area and can really focus on those individuals who are driving up violence on our streets and in our communities through the supply of drugs.''

He added: "Despite these reductions, we are not complacent and know there is more to do. Our determination to tackle these crimes remains strong and wewill continue to work with our partners, using every power and tactic available, to serve and protect our communities.

"We are absolutely committed to driving down violent crime and we will relentlessly focus on those individuals intent on causing violence.''