Hundreds of police officers swooped on 15 houses in the early hours of this morning in a huge operation to smash two major Croydon drugs gangs. 

Fourteen arrests have been made after 150 officers took part in synchronised raids aimed at dismantling a market for heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis centred on London Road, West Croydon. 

The Croydon Guardian was present at one of the raids, in Alton Road, Waddon, in which police in riot gear broke down a suspected drug dealer's front door and stormed his house. 

A man was arrested inside and will be today be questioned by dectectives along with several others following a painstaking 10-month covert investigation. 

Police have also seized £10,000 in cash, a BMW and a Mercedes following the raids.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Baxter, of Croydon police, said: "These people are in full-time employment and their job was selling drugs.

"They were going to work each day and they were selling drugs at the same time, at the same place, often to the same customers.

"Those customers are often poor and have to find a way to sustain their habit, which in turn leads to more crime."

Croydon police began the investigation in February after receiving reports of dealers selling cannabis in West Croydon.

Their investigation soon led to the discovery of a major drugs market involving the sale of large amounts of cannabis, heroin and crack cocaine, leading Trident to become involved.

Twenty gang members, aged between 14 and 42, were targeted in this morning's raids, which also involved City of London police officers. 

At least 14 people have been arrested.

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150 officers took part in the raids

Police were due to execute another three search warrants later today.

Speaking after the dramatic raids, DCI Baxter said: "Everybody gets an adrenaline rush.

"This is the result of four or five months of hard work and we have invested a lot into this both personally and as a team as well."