Six men have been jailed following a long-term operation into an organised criminal network who supplied weapons and drugs.

The men were all sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 26 May, having previously pleaded guilty to numerous offences.

Michael O'Driscoll, 58 of Claremont Avenue, New Malden was sentenced to a total of 16 years' imprisonment.

He had pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence, supplying Class A drugs (MDMA), being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs (ketamine), offering to supply Class A drugs (ecstasy tablets) to another, encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence (planning an armed warehouse robbery), conspiracy to handle stolen goods, attempting to handle stolen goods and transferring criminal property, namely £35,000.

Robert D'Acosta, 55, of Beltona Gardens, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire was jailed for eight years for supplying a Class B drug (ketamine), possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (ketamine), possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of criminal property, namely £45,000 cash.

David Lee Simmons, 38, of Garratt Lane, Earlsfield was sentenced to two years and eight months' imprisonment for manufacturing a stun gun, conspiracy to handle stolen goods and attempting to handle stolen goods.

His father, David Terry Simmons, 62, of Portsmouth Road, Thursley was jailed for four years for conspiracy to handle stolen goods, attempting to handle stolen goods and transferring criminal property.

Kevin Edwards-Pritchard, 32, of Wingate Crescent, Croydon was sentenced to three years and eight months' imprisonment for encouraging or assisting in planning an armed warehouse robbery.

Karl Couling, 36, of Leigh Place, Feltham was jailed for six years for selling or transferring a prohibited weapon and ammunition.

Detective Inspector Philip McInerney, from the London Crime Squad, said: "This operation has had a significant impact on the supply of drugs across the south-east.

"A fully established organised crime network has been dismantled and these men now face lengthy prison sentences.

"The harm they have done, not only by supplying drugs, but also by providing firearms and committing robberies, is clear for all to see. They are all now facing lengthy prison sentences.

"We remain committed to taking drugs and firearms off the Capital's streets and will arrest those involved in their supply."

Detectives launched 'Operation Ruda' in May 2015 to tackle an organised crime network (OCN) what was headed by O'Driscoll. It was quickly established that he was linked to the other five defendants.

Officers discovered that the OCN was involved in the prolific supply of drugs, firearms offences and large-scale handling of stolen goods from organised burglary and armed robbery.

O'Driscoll ran two businesses - a florist called 'Flowers in the Wind' and 'David Simmons Jewellers' in the Garratt Lane area of Wandsworth. These commercial premises were used to support his criminality and that of others across the United Kingdom.

By December last year, officers had gathered extensive intelligence and evidence against the OCN.

On Wednesday, January 25, more than 200 officers and support staff were deployed to arrest numerous suspects and search 20 addresses across the south-east.

A search of the Wandsworth jewellery shop recovered stolen jewellery and £32,000 in cash.

A total of 15 people were arrested for a variety of offences, including conspiracy to supply firearms and drugs, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and the handling of stolen goods on a commercial scale.

One person has been informed that no further action will be taken and eight others remain on bail pending further enquiries.