Three men have been charged with trafficking drugs following a massive series of raids by Surrey Police last week.

The men, two from Epsom and one from Tadworth, were among dozens arrested across the county in dawn raids on Thursday , January 26.

Operation Austen, the biggest co-ordinated drug raids since 2006, saw 25 homes of suspected dealers targeted, including two in Epsom.

A ‘significant’ amount of Class A drugs and cash were seized by officers acoss the county following a six month undercover operation.

Guildford Neighbourhood Commander Chief Inspector Matt Goodridge said: "Operation Austen is aimed at removing the supply of Class A drugs predominantly from the streets of Guildford but also from neighbourhoods across the county.

"Although our goal is to take drug dealers off the streets, we do not simply want to recycle them back into the system to commit further crime, and this is so why so much emphasis is placed on treating them, as well as arresting them.

"We will work with partner agencies, including the Surrey Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), to help those users who may seek to use this time as an opportunity to stop using drugs and officers will continue to enforce the law against those who supply them."

Surrey Police have said there will be increased patrols in areas where there are known problems, specifically targeting locations where drugs are sold and the Surrey Police Drugs Bus will also be travelling throughout the area to allow people to talk about any issues they may have in relation to drugs in their neighbourhood.

Ashley Elson, 22, of Upper High Street, Epsom, was charged with five counts of supplying Class A cocaine.

Peter Salter, 24, of Gorse Close, Tadworth, was charged with three charges of supplying Class A methylamphetamine and one of possession of cannabis.

Both were remanded in custody and are due to reappear at Guildford Magistrates Court on February 2 and 3 respectively.

Phillip Potter, 19, of The Greenway, Epsom, was charged with one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and one count of supplying cannabis.

He was bailed and is due to appear at Guildford Magistrates' Court on March 9.