Handgun found in sock as 14 arrested in London drugs dawn raids this morning

HIDDEN: Suspected handgun badly hidden in a sock found at a New Cross address

POLICE found a suspected handgun hidden in a sock in a home during a series of dawn raids across London this morning.

At one of the properties in New Cross, south London, officers found a suspected handgun hidden inside a sock.

A 48-year-old woman at that address was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm as well as possession of Class A drugs.

A series of dawn raids were conducted in south and west London this morning, resulting in 14 arrests.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Officers from Lewisham borough, assisted by colleagues from the Territorial Support Group [TSG], executed early morning warrants at 12 addresses in New Cross, two addresses in Peckham and one address in Wembley as part of an intelligence-led and proactive operation to tackle drug dealing in Lewisham borough, which is believed to be driving violent crime in the area."

Thirteen men and one woman - all aged between 18 and 48 – were arrested for drug-related offences and have been taken into custody at various south London police stations, where they remain at this time.

BUSTED: Rocks of crack cocaine found at a New Cross address

A backpack believed to have been dropped from the Wembley address contained a knife and large quantity of suspected drugs. An amount of what are suspected to be Class A and B drugs were recovered from all 15 addresses.

In excess of what is believed to be 200 rocks of cocaine and heroin was recovered at a New Cross property.

On seeing police, the suspect at that address threw the drugs out of an upstairs window hitting officers. Cash was also recovered as part of the operation.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who leads Operation Trilogy – the police response to violent crime, risk and vulnerability on Lewisham borough – said: “Today’s activity has seen us target some of the most prolific drug dealers in the borough who cause misery and are a blight on our community.

BLADE: Knife also seized during raids in New Cross

“We know that drugs and violent crime are intrinsically linked and believe some of these suspects may have links to recent offences of violence we have seen across the borough.

“As part of today’s operation we were assisted by Lewisham Council and the Children’s Society who are helping us work to safeguard any vulnerable or exploited individuals identified as part of the policing activity.

“We remain resolute in our efforts to target those involved in criminality and will continue to take all possible action to disrupt their activity and reduce the levels of violence taking place on our streets.”