This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Legal
Police capture criminals with record shop
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 15 September 2011
Most high street record stores are in a bit of bother these days, but the police, of all people, have been trying out a new business model to help keep them alive. To be honest, I’m struggling to see where the serious revenue is made, but the Enfield Advertiser has revealed that record shop Boombox in Edmonton, north London was actually a Metropolitan Police operation to ensnare criminals.
Codenamed Operation Peyzac, police opened the record store following a series of murders in Edmonton in 2008. They then used a back room in the shop to purchase guns and drugs from criminals and, in April of this year, they raided 35 addresses across London, arresting 37 people who had been involved in the illegal transactions. All were convicted in August, with their accumulated sentences adding up to over 400 years – individual jail times reaching up to 21 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Harwood told the Enfield Advertiser: “Operation Peyzac is seen as one of the most innovative and successful covert operations run by the Met, and this is down to the bravery and dedication of the undercover officers. My investigation team worked relentlessly to ensure the success of the operation and, due to the strength of evidence gathered and produced by the officers, 34 of the defendants pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. 21 firearms were recovered and it was clear that those selling the firearms had no regard as to who they were selling to or for what reason”.
The entire operation cost £500,000, which does suggest it may not be a viable business model for other struggling record stores. Unless they sell on the guns and drugs at a profit I suppose. But that would be illegal, and we do not condone such things. So don’t do it. And while we’re on the subject, we probably shouldn’t be making light of this whole thing. I blame you for encouraging us.
