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Thursday 12th August 2010

By Craig Burnett



Dawn raids hit a network of drug dealers across Mitcham and Wimbledon.

Five people were arrested during the police operation, which recovered drugs and suspected stolen goods from the homes of known dealers.

Most of the eight raids took place at 6am today and saw specialist units from the Metropolitan Police
s Tactical Support Group smash in the dealers
doors before dragging them from their beds and searching the properties.

The operation also involved detectives from Merton police and trained sniffer dogs.

Detective Inspector Graham Horwood of Merton police, said: "These criminals have grown up together and are dealing drugs within Merton
s communities.

"Although this crime is done by a small number of people, we will continue targeting them to disrupt their criminal activities."

All five arrests took place in Mitcham
a man and woman at a flat in Heathfield Drive, two men at a property in The Beeches and another man at an address in Sheldrick Close.

Homes were also targeted in Mitcham
s Swains Road, Illingworth Close and Singleton Close. In Wimbledon, raids took place at a flat in Plough Lane and the YMCA in The Broadway.

Police seized items including cocaine and cannabis, electrical goods, driving licences and credit cards. When this paper went to press, one man had been charged with possession of class B drugs

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