Police have arrested 15 following early morning drug raids in Kingston and New Malden.

Yesterday (March 6), police executed 13 warrants at homes in the two areas and seized £10,000 in cash, a large quantity of drugs and a stun gun were also seized to go along with the arrests.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Simmons, who joined the warrants this morning, said: "Operations like this are vital in disrupting criminal activity, suppressing violent crime and ensuring the safety of local communities.

“No one should profit from the misery that drug dealing brings, especially those that seek to exploit children into the mix as well. I thank all officers who worked hard today to carry out these warrants and remove these drugs and weapons from our streets.

Surrey Comet:

The scene in Springfield Place. Picture: Genevieve Griffin

“We will deal robustly with those who seek to peddle drugs, exploit young people and target the most vulnerable within our communities for the sole purpose of financial gain; often instigating violent acts and placing young people at risk of harm and criminalisation in the process."

The 15 people were arrested for offences including possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, possession of a stun gun and burglary.

They have been taken to south London police stations where they remain in custody at this time.

South West BCU Commander, Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar, said: “We have been working very hard over the past few months to tackle the increase in drugs that we have seen creeping into the south west area of London and I hope that today’s operation shows that this isn’t just a big issue for me, but it’s also one that the Assistant Commissioner is committed to helping us tackle.

“Drug dealing and drug use are inextricably linked with a high proportion of the violence that we have seen on our streets – anyone who buys drugs, including the ‘middle class drugs users’, are fuelling the problem."