Police raid in Croydon. Pic: Metropolitan Police.

Police have arrested 14 people and seized a BMW, a Mercedes Benz and £10,000 after drug raids in Croydon this morning.

Fourteen males, aged between 14 and 37, have been arrested for a range of offences including conspiracy to supply, supply, offer to supply and concerned in supply of Class A and B drugs. The arrested have been taken to police stations across south London and remain in custody.

Police say that the men involved are believed to be “either gang members, involved in gangs or involved in the supply of drugs”.

The coordinated operation, involving 150 police officers, took place as 15 warrants were executed at 04:45am across Croydon, Lambeth, Sutton, Lewisham and Bromley.

The busts were part of an operation led by the Metropolitan Police Trident Gang Crime Command that deals with gang crime, drug supply and anti-social behaviour. Officers were drawn from the Metropolitan Police in Croydon, Trident Command, the Territorial Support Group and City of London forces.

The raids in Croydon took place at Cordrey Gardens, Sumner Road, Rigby Close, Heath Road, Stonecroft Way, Alton Road, Ridges Yard, Lodge Road, Beulah Hill, Lansdowne Road and Lower Addiscombe Road.

The operation was the result of intelligence gathered by Trident to tackle the supply of Class A and B drugs in west Croydon.

Guy Carmichael of the Trident Central Gangs Unit said: “Drug dealing can only operate in an environment where the fear or threat of violence is prevalent. On this occasion we have arrested those who we believe to be responsible for the main supply of drugs in the area and who have intimidated residents.”

“Arresting and placing these individuals before the courts should have a significant effect on the availability of heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis and will vastly improve the quality of life for those living and working in the area.”

Superintendent Carron Schusler, acting borough commander for Croydon, said: “This certainly isn’t the end of our activity and we’ll be working closely with our partners and the local authority in the coming days, weeks and months to make sure that drug dealing and anti-social behaviour does not return to the area. I would also urge anyone from the local community to speak to my officers if they have any questions or concerns.”

Police will be visiting residents and businesses on the London Road to update them on the activity. They will also be carrying out weapons and drug sweeps of the area.