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 | | Thursday, 1 November, 2001, 21:39 GMT Community 'key' to stop drug imports  Community tip-offs have led to drug seizures in Bristol Police in Bristol have arrested more than 200 people after working with community leaders to fight drug imports from Jamaican gangs. Thousands of pounds of crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis have been seized as part of the ongoing Operation Atrium. The arrests have all taken place since June in Bristol and parts of London - guns and other weapons have also been seized. An immigration officer has been working as part of the 26-strong police team, tackling gangs operating in the Caribbean. 'Stand together' Detective Inspector Bruce Gallagher said: "This is the first time in this country that immigration and the police have worked together on a pro-active operation. "We have targeted a number of gangs based in Jamaica.
"Just today I have had some information land on my desk from a member of the community that has led to a substantial seizure of cocaine. "We have a particular problem with the Jamaican-organised crime groups that have been targeting Bristol and other cities with crack cocaine. "It is a national problem but in Bristol we are acutely aware of it because of the effects of crime that go hand in hand with it. "Drug dealing has an effect on the community because people live in fear of retribution and violence. "We are trying to work with community leaders, talking to people often before we carry out an operation." He said it was important people understood what the police were doing. People in the inner-city areas of Easton and St Paul's had given "incredible support". "Community is the key. Police target jamaican drugPeople have got to stand together." | |  
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