An undisclosed number of Jamaicans were arrested in the UK Wednesday, after police raided the homes of around 20 suspected, so-called 'Yardie gangsters'.
More than 100 officers carried out the early morning raids, following a six-month covert operation to gather evidence.
The gang is suspected of moving to Edinburgh from Birmingham and the English Midlands, and basing itself across Leith in an effort to get a foothold in the drugs market.
Some of the alleged dealers are reportedly from Jamaica but specific numbers have not been disclosed.
The UK Border Agency was also involved in Wednesday's blitz to help round up suspected illegal immigrants.
So called 'Yardie' dealers have been said to be selling crack cocaine from public places, as well as from their own homes, and have been trying to hook existing illegal drug users in an attempt to create a bigger market in highly addictive substances.
Detectives believe the gang intended to build up the lucrative trade locally before attempting to spread their influence across the city.
Six addresses were raided on Wednesday morning as part of Operation Advance.
The police say that Jamaican Yardies have tried unsuccessfully in the past to gain a prominent place in the Capital's drugs market.
The one high-profile attempt by such a gang to infiltrate Edinburgh resulted in a court case two years ago where members of a Wolverhampton gang were jailed.
Their leader, Andrew Morrison, was jailed for nine years, while two others were sentenced to six years each.
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