Big Drug Bust: Nine Arrested in Major Class A Crackdown
Massive Raids Rock London, Kent & Sussex
The Met’s Flying Squad teamed up with Sussex Police to smash a large-scale Class A drugs operation. On Tuesday, 22 September, warrant raids blitzed multiple addresses across London, Kent, and Sussex.
Cocaine Supply Ring Busted
Police arrested nine suspects – one woman, 26, and eight men aged 21 to 47. Charges include conspiracy to supply cocaine and offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act for handling criminal cash.
All are now held in custody suites across the capital and Sussex as searches continue. So far, officers have seized around 10 kilos of Class A drugs and £60,000 in cash.
Operation Eternal Targets Encrypted Crime Networks
This sting was part of Operation Eternal, the Met’s strategy to crack down on criminals using encrypted devices like EncroChat to evade detection.
Detective Inspector Gail Lilley of the Flying Squad said: “Yesterday’s arrests send a clear message to criminal networks: you can’t hide behind encrypted phones anymore. Police forces across the UK are joining forces to bring you to justice.”
Detective Inspector Julie Wakeford from Surrey and Sussex Serious Organised Crime Unit added: “This joint effort disrupts drug supply in Brighton, Shoreham, and beyond. We aim for long-term knock-on effects in these communities.”
Warrants Served Across 12 Locations
- Abbey Drive, Dartford
- Commercial property, Belvedere DA17
- Dowells Street, SE10
- St Mary’s Road, Wrotham, Kent
- Cold Blow Crescent, Bexley
- Sheppey Close, Erith
- First Avenue, Bexleyheath
- Wichling Close, Orpington
- Greenways Crescent, Shoreham
- Foredown Drive, Portslade
- Glenfalls Avenue, Brighton
- May Road, Brighton
The crackdown highlights the growing threat of organised crime using tech to traffic drugs. For now, nine suspects face serious charges as police keep hunting the criminal underworld.
