MORE than 30 properties across Croydon were raided for drugs as part of the town's "total war on crime".
The 31 raids led by the Met targeted households thought to be growing cannabis plants and dealing at a street level.
Officers from Croydon's Safer Neighbourhoods teams, as well as members from other local Croydon CID and uniform teams, started the raids at dawn on March 27 and made 11 arrests for various drugs- related offences. There were also arrests made for immigration offences and one person was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
Three cannabis factories were found and more than 80 cannabis plants were seized from addresses in St James' Road, Bates Crescent and Church Road.
Crack cocaine and heroin were also discovered and seized at an address in Lancing Road.
In Isham Road, several mobile phones, laptops, bicycles, sat-navs – all believed to be stolen goods – were also seized at an address in Isham Road.
Chief Inspector Ray Rogers said: "The successful operation here in Croydon reinforces our commitment to the total war on crime.
"We're determined to keep on targeting those within our communities that are involving themselves in drugs and other criminal activity in Croydon.
"We would also ask our local residents to keep on telling us about the presence of drugs in their neighbourhood so that we can take action."
In addition to the raids, the Met has created a mobile "mock cannabis farm", which will tour London neighbourhoods to help residents to spot the tell-tale signs of cannabis production.
The mobile farm will be coming to Croydon's streets in the next few months.