Fifty-three people were arrested and £63,000 has been seized in a series of early morning police raids in Kent and South East London.

Officers targeted a number of addresses, predominately in Bexley and Greenwich, over the last six weeks, in an effort to crack down on organised crime and the county lines drug supply.

A total of 47 men and six women aged between 16 and 48 were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including: possession of firearms and ammunition; possession of offensive weapons; possession of criminal property; possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, and supply of class A and B drugs.

The arrests follow a long-running operation, named Operation Trigona, which involved a meticulous undercover investigation spanning five months, in which officers identified individuals involved in the organisation and running of 33 county lines, supplying class A drugs.

Led by officers from the South East Proactive Unit, a range of other officers were also involved in the operation, including officers from the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG) and Dog Support Unit.

In addition to cash, police also seized 320 grams of crack cocaine, 150 grams of heroin and a quantity of cannabis; along with a variety of weapons, including four firearms, two rounds of ammunition, a number of knives and knuckle dusters.

Two motor vehicles with a combined value of £45,000 were also seized along with £40,000 worth of Rolex watches, all believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Detective Inspector Jo Gresham, who led the operation, said: “Operations like this one, which disrupt county lines drug supply and dealing, and target the criminal exploitation of vulnerable people, are vital because we know that this type of criminality drives a high proportion of violent crime in London.

“We carried out a huge amount of investigative work behind the scenes before conducting these warrants, showing that not only do we take a zero-tolerance approach to drug supply, but we’re absolutely committed to making the streets in which the local community lives safer.

“This operation was also aimed at identifying and cracking down on the exploitation of children, who can be manipulated into carrying out criminal acts. During this operation we have identified two young people who were victims of this type of exploitation, who we are now safeguarding and working with to give them the support they need.

“I would urge anyone who may have information about any criminality in their area to contact police, or Crimestoppers, so that we can take proactive action - your information is invaluable to us.”

Anyone with information can contact police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, visit their website https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Read more: all the latest news from Bexley and Bromley .