Breakthrough in turf war murder inquiry

The Independent reported last week that a 34-year-old man from Preston was arrested in connection with the killing of 43-year-old family man Alisan Dogan.

He has now been released after being interviewed by officers, but a further seven have been arrested in Harringay and Tottenham on suspicion of Mr Dogan's murder.

The arrests were made during three raids at 6.20am on Tuesday, by Haringey police and the Serious Crime Group East. Immigration officials were also involved.

The seven men were found in two businesses in Grand Parade, Harringay, and a house in Trafalgar Avenue, Tottenham. Six have now been bailed to return to police stations next month and one is being dealt with by immigration officials.

Mr Dogan was an innocent by-stander during the pitched battle involving 40 men from Turkish and Kurdish gangs armed with guns, knives and baseball bats.

During the fight, four men were seriously injured and another 20 needed hospital treatment.

Borough commander Chief Supt Stephen James described the fight, which was a turf war connected to the heroin trade, as a "seismic event" and as part of the extensive police response to the murder and the problem of organised crime in the Green Lanes area, Operation Narita was implemented last week.

The operation aimed to target one of the biggest players in the UK drug trade and seriously hit organised crime in north London.

A number and a number of people from Haringey were arrested.

Hussain Kurnaz, 39, of Burbidge Way, Tottenham, was charged with possession of a knife, Mehmet Sirma, 39, of Raleigh Road, Hornsey, was charged with affray, and Sinan Celik, 20, of Grand Parade, Harringay, was charged with possession of a knife.

A total of 23 people were arrested during the operation and, of those, two others have been charged with the possession of a variety of drugs with intent to supply. A further nine have been detained for deportation.

January 31, 2003 10:01