London police raid "Rastafarian temple", arrest 23

London, Apr 12: British police raided what they described as a Rastafarian temple in south London today and arrested 23 people in an anti-drugs and firearms operation.

The Metropolitan police said the premises, which included a Rastafarian temple once visited by reggae musician Bob Marley, are suspected of being used for ''high level'' criminality.

''This operation is a joint initiative by police and the local authority aimed at protecting the communities in south London from serious criminality,'' a statement said.

The premises, where a Rastafarian community has lived since at least the early 1970s, have been raided in the past to evict squatters.

Police said today's operation was on-going and provided no further details.

Reuters