US anti-violence group shut down after raid uncovers weapons and drugs

Officials in East Baltimore have shut down the Safe Streets anti-violence program after police found a stash of drugs and seven guns in their offices.

Police were investigating a robbery when they were lead to the office, resulting in two employees of the organisation being arrested, along with seven other people, the Baltimore Sun reports.

A witness to the robbery saw two men flee in a grey 4WD which was later seen near the Monument Street office. Two men were also seen darting from the 4WD to inside the Safe Streets offices.

When police investigated further they located guns, cocaine, heroin, and other items used to manufacture or sell drugs.

The two men, Artez Harris and Ricky Evans, were dismissed from the program and charged with drug and weapons offences before being jailed.

Seven other offenders aged between 19 and 28 were also charged.

East Baltimore's Health Department funds Safe Streets through a grant and uses ex-criminals to help stem crime.

The program was praised for keeping violence to a minimum in the four neighbourhoods where it operates, with city officials previously calling for it to be replicated further.

It is not the first time Safe Streets has faced problems, with offices closed temporarily in 2010 and 2013 due to criminal allegations against employees.

The three other Safe Streets offices remain open while an investigation takes place.