This is the moment two brothers suspected of selling knives on Snapchat and Telegram are arrested during a police dawn raid in north London.
The pair, aged 20 and 21, allegedly flogged several weapons, including zombie and flick blades, on the so-called online “grey market”.
The Metropolitan Police shared body-worn camera footage of the 5am warrant.
It shows officers in public order kit smashing down the front door of the family’s flat and detaining one suspected knife seller.
Detectives also seized a large amount of cannabis at the property on Myddelton Road, Hornsey last week Tuesday.
Commander Stephen Clayman, the national lead for policing knife crime, says under-18s buying blades online to use in youth violence remains “a really concerning picture”.
Forces are keen to cut off the supply as part of efforts to stop injuries and deaths.
An officer involved with the Met’s Operation Sceptre raid in Haringey said: “People who are committing the knifepoint robberies and sadly the murders, they’re not buying their weapons in Sainsbury’s. They’re buying them in what’s known as the grey market on Snapchat, on Telegram.
“My team executed a warrant and we entered a property, and we were able to arrest our primary suspect.
“The property was searched and we seized a quantity of controlled Class B drugs and pharmaceuticals such as, prescription only anti-depressants, and a number of offensive weapons were also recovered.
“Operations like this are really, really important. You may not see the results immediately, but it really is one less weapon off the street, one less knife seller online, and hopefully it's one life saved.”
On September 24, a ban on zombie knives, machetes and swords came into force - giving police greater powers to seize weapons found in private properties.
It is illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport them and anyone caught could face time behind bars.
Joshua Kongolo, 21, and his brother Merveil, 20, are charged with offering an offensive weapon for sale or hire, publishing illegal material relating to combat knives and possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.
They appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on November 13 and were bailed with conditions until a further hearing later this month.
