Major Police Operation Targets Organised Crime in South London
In a significant overnight crackdown, the Metropolitan Police launched a series of coordinated raids targeting notorious drug kingpins across Mitcham in South London. The large-scale operation involved over 300 officers and resulted in the arrest of 23 suspects, alongside the seizure of substantial quantities of illegal substances, firearms, and other dangerous weapons.
Widespread Arrests and Substantial Seizures
During the meticulously planned raids, police stormed 15 properties believed to be linked to organised crime groups. The operation led to the arrest of 23 individuals for a range of serious offences, including the supply of drugs, possession of firearms, possession of offensive weapons, possession of criminal property, and modern-day slavery offences.
The seizures from the raids were extensive and alarming. Officers confiscated major quantities of Class A and B drugs, five firearms, a samurai sword, ten prohibited weapons, two high-powered e-bikes, and significant sums of cash. Additionally, police served closure notices at two addresses, aiming to sever criminal activity and prevent further offending in those locations.
Deep-Rooted Criminal Activity Disrupted
According to police statements, those operating from the targeted addresses were deeply entrenched in serious criminal enterprises. Their activities included drug trafficking, extreme violence, and the exploitation of properties through a practice known as cuckooing, where criminals take over the homes of vulnerable individuals.
Inspector Kevin Chambers, who led the operation, provided detailed insights into the coordinated effort. 'The operation unfolded with the power of over 300 officers working in unison — police constables, rapid-entry specialists, dog units, the Territorial Support Group, and custody teams — a coordinated show of strength and precision,' he stated.
Chambers emphasised that the police were acting on intelligence indicating that people within these addresses were involved in serious criminality, such as drug dealing, serious violence, and cuckooing. 'This is a significant step in cutting the supply chains and criminal networks that inflict serious violence, fear, and intimidation across our city,' he added.
Broader Context and Ongoing Efforts
The Met Police reported that in 2025 alone, they seized 3,570 guns and weapons and disrupted organised crime groups more than 21,200 times. This represents a striking 63% increase in disruptions compared to the previous year, highlighting an intensified focus on combating serious and organised crime.
Detective Superintendent Ian Cameron underscored the broader impact of such operations. 'Drug networks fuel serious violence and today's coordinated operation disrupts those drivers head-on. We're protecting vulnerable people who are exploited within these networks, acting on the concerns of our communities and staying firmly committed to safer streets,' he explained.
Police Sergeant James Peppitt expressed pride in the collaborative effort, noting the support from Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the wider Metropolitan Police. 'Together we are fighting community crime and tackling the issues that matter most to our communities. We remain grateful to the community for all their support and hope today shows local residents that we are listening to their concerns and taking appropriate action,' he said.
Commitment to Community Safety
Inspector Chambers further elaborated on the police's relentless approach. 'Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams are ramping up activity — carrying out more manhunts and seizing more illegal cash, guns, and ammunition — because this criminality tears families apart. I hope this activity shows our relentlessness in taking the fight to those responsible,' he asserted.
The overnight activity in Mitcham is part of a broader strategy to protect communities from dangerous groups and drive down serious violence. The police have committed to continuing pre-planned operations targeting criminality and reducing violence, reinforcing their dedication to community crime-fighting and safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
