Police seized heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and £150,000 in cash in a series of early morning raids spanning from east London to Aberdeen.

The multi-force operation saw 29 raids executed simultaneously across the country.

In east London, Police raided addresses in Meadow Walk, South Woodford, Cortland Close, Ilford, and Forest Drive West, Leytonstone.

Warrants were also executed in Essex, Plymouth, Bristol and Berkhamstead.

In total, approximately £150,000 cash, 20 kilograms of Class A and B drugs and a suspected firearm were as part of the operation which the Met Police says has been months in the making.

Officers arrested 16 people, aged between 25 and 43, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs; one of those detained has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

Detective Inspector Tom Pearse, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "The supply and distribution of drugs doesn't contain itself within the M25. It’s a fluid and toxic commodity that leaks out into the home counties and beyond, often leaving a trail of violence in its wake. By collaborating with other police forces, we have removed those in the middle levels, as well as those at the top of the chain who were making in excess of a million pounds a year.

"The operation started in April 2020 when officers received intelligence that a number of individuals in Hackney, east London were involved in supply Class A drugs. Through a number of tactics, they established the network’s supply routes across the UK and the individuals responsible for coordinating the supply in the regions. Today’s arrests mean that this particular criminal network are no longer able to operate and officers will be seeking to seize assets accrued via their criminal activities."

Warrants were executed at the following addresses:

  • Cropley Street, Hackney, N1
  • Meadow Walk, South Woodford, Redbridge, E18
  • Leatherhead Close, Hackney, N16
  • Longbridge Road, Barking, IG11
  • Foxley Close, E8
  • Homerton Road, Hackney, E9
  • Cortland Close, Ilford, IG8
  • Hatton Gardens, EC1N
  • Dunnock Close, Edmonton, Enfield, N9
  • Harleston Close, E5
  • Hoe Lane, Enfield, EN3
  • River Gardens Walk, SE10
  • Marks Road, Romford, RM7
  • Southwold Road, Hackney, E5
  • Amhurst Park, N16
  • Shaftesbury Street, Hackney, N1
  • Highbury Grange, Islington, N5
  • Harrington Hill, E5
  • Forest Drive West, Leytonstone, E11
  • Amhurst Road, Hackney, E8
  • Henderson Place, Plymouth, PL2
  • Union Street, Plymouth, PL1
  • Lester Close, Plymouth, PL3
  • Kit Hill Crescent, Plymouth, PL5
  • Viburnum Crescent, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32
  • Elizabeth II Avenue, Berkhamsted, HP4
  • Oliver Road, Shenfield, Essex, CM15
  • St Anne's Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, CM15
  • Hillview Road, Aberdeen, AB15