A cache of Rohypnol, the so-called "date rape drug", has been seized by police during raids in Haringey.

Some 250 tablets of the drug were found at one of ten addresses in Hornsey, Highgate and Wood Green which were targeted by drugs squad and burglary squad officers during the operation.

Rohypnol is a powerful sedative, ten times stronger than Valium, which is legitimately used in the UK as a sleeping pill.

But it has become associated with date rape after victims alleged they had sex against their will after the drug was slipped into their drinks.

Victims claim that after taking Rohypnol they have woken up in the morning with no immediate recollection of the night before.

During the raids, which took place last Thursday, police seized £15,000 worth of illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine, ecstacy, amphetamines and cannabis.

Rohypnol itself is not illegal in the UK, although it is in the USA after a series of "drug-rape" cases on university campuses.

However a spokeswoman for Enfield and Haringey Health Authority confirmed it is not available on the NHS.

She said: "It is available from private practitioners on prescription and is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia.

"It's not advisable to use it for more than a week, and certainly not more than three, because the user can become dependent on it."

Nine people were arrested during the raids. Two were later charged and six were bailed to return to police at a later date.

Other finds by officers included a replica pistol which can be converted into a lethal firearm, and electrical goods suspected of being stolen including TVs, videos and car radios.

After the operation DS Kevin O Shea from Hornsey Police Intelligence Unit urged local residents to support the Met's crackdown on drugs.

He said: "The operation has been a great success and has sent a tough message to criminals using and supplying drugs.

"Illegal substances pose a great danger to young people and often lead them into other crimes. We are sending a message to the community that drugs wreck lives and this evil trade should n

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