A five-day operation targeting drug dealing in east London has resulted in 30 arrests.

Between Monday, June 22 and Friday, June 26, 80 officers from the East Area Command Gangs and Violence Suppression Unit executed 23 warrants at residential addresses in Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham.

Of the 23 warrants conducted, ten were in Havering, eight in Redbridge, four were in Barking and Dagenham and one was in north-west London; officers arrested 21 males and two females aged. between 17 - 48.

Police seized Class A and B drugs with an estimated value of £50,000. Two cannabis factories in Ilford were closed and dismantled and a variety of weapons were seized including three guns, CS Spray, swords, knives, and a taser.

Detective sergeant Luke Hampton who co-ordinated the raids said: “Those targeted in the warrants are concerned in the street dealing strand of drug supply which as we know contributes to violence across our three boroughs.

“While we know that drug use and supply are a global issue, we don’t accept them as a part of everyday life. The warrants we have conducted will have a positive impact on the quality of life for local communities by seriously disrupting the supply of drugs and the significant amount of class A and class B substances seized will now not be sold on our streets.

“Drug dealers are not wanted or welcome in our boroughs. Anyone who thinks it is okay to deal drugs will not find this a peaceful place to live. We will make use of every available resource in order to find you, arrest you and place you before the courts.”

Detective superintendent Paul Trevers of East Area Command said: “Reducing violence remains a top priority for us and this week’s operation is part of our ongoing commitment to bring violence levels down as we continue to identify, target and track offenders linked to violence, gangs or drug supply.

“As part of our determination to make Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham safer than ever, we have launched a newly formed, dedicated, local Violence Suppression Unit to relentlessly and proactively crack down on violence.

“By compiling solid evidence against drug dealers prior to arrest, we have improved the chances of charges being brought and the defendants being placed before the courts.

“As the arrest results clearly show, pro-active operations of this type often yield far more than the intended targets with a number of additional arrests for violent offences having been made along the way.

“All three boroughs that make up our East Area Command are geographically separate, but have a common theme – the supply and use of drugs and the often violent crime associated with it, all of which has a negative impact on those living, working and raising families here."