POLICE investigating three criminal networks have arrested 12 men in a series of dawn drug swoops in parts of Kent and London.

The men were arrested after raids at a total of 19 addresses, Scotland Yard said on Wednesday.

The arrests are the culmination of a two-year enquiry into the three criminal networks - one Columbian and two London-based. The drugs allegedly involved are thought to include heroin, cocaine and cannabis and amphetamines.

It is understood the investigation is linked to Operation Anuric, a probe into a huge international drug smuggling empire.

That cartel was suspected of smuggling hundreds of millions of pounds worth of cocaine into the Unitedd Kingdon over the past 10 years.

More than 100 police officers were involved in the "pre-planned, synchronised" dawn raids.