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12th June 2018
07:39pm BST

Police vans involved in the operation (Credit: Met Police)[/caption]
The individuals arrested, aged between 19 and 39 years old, were arrested for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
More than 80 officers from a range of units across the Metropolitan Police took part in the operation, including officers from Trident central gangs unit, Newham borough, territorial support group and local borough officers.
The raids took place at Fendt Close, E16; Carew Road, N17; Firefly Gardens, E6; Trusedale Road, E6; Daines Close, E12; Bearing Walk, E16, Falcon Avenue, Grays; Bond Street, Ipswich and Main Road, Ipswich.
The arrests were made as part of an intelligence-led, proactive operation targeting senior members of a gang in Newham believed to be responsible for a cocaine and heroin drug-dealing network from London to Suffolk.
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An officer with a knife seized during the operation (Credit: Met Police)[/caption]
Richard Tucker, commander of the Met’s North East command unit said: "This morning’s arrests demonstrate the commitment of the Metropolitan Police to reducing the level of violence in Newham and the wider East London area.
"So-called ‘county lines’ drug dealing gangs from London spread crime and misery into towns throughout England. Working with neighbouring police forces, today’s operation is part of a wider, long-term strategy to combat gang-related activities."
Jim McKee, of the Met’s Trident central gangs unit, said: "Today’s cross-border operation with our colleagues in Suffolk to tackle violent crime and county lines operations has resulted in seven individuals being arrested.
"Those who run ‘county line’ drug dealing networks are responsible for exporting violence to towns outside of London and we are committed to relentlessly pursuing and disrupting them. We believe the disruption of the drug dealing gangs could have a direct impact on reducing the level of violence in London."