FOUR ARRESTS IN RAIDS ON CANNABIS CAFES

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

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