Ten people have been charged with drugs and immigration offences as police continue their operation to crack down on gangs.

A series of 11 raids started at dawn yesterday and were carried out across in Croydon by 150 officers from Croydon Gang Taskforce and Trident's Central Gangs Unit.

Most of the raids were in the Broad Green area, where officers executed two warrants at 6am yesterday morning.

The remaining nine warrants were executed at about 3.40pm at residential addresses in the Dennett Road area.

Those targeted were believed to be active gang members. Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Territorial Support Group assisted the operation, which was also supported by the police dogs units and local safer neighbourhood team officers.

Croydon Borough Commander Chief Superintendent David Musker said: "When I came to Croydon just over a year ago I said we would make it our priority to tackle those involved in gangs and gang crime.

"This operation, along with the one two weeks ago, signals our intention to use all lawful methods to pro-actively target men of violence and those who sell drugs on our streets.

"We will continue to target and use proactive police enforcement activity against those involved in gangs in Croydon.."

Detective Superintendent Simon Messinger from Croydon Police added: "Those involved in gangs should be aware there is a way out and there are people we can put them in touch with to help turn their lives around.

"However, if you remain in a gang and if you continue to commit crime, then we will keep targeting you."

Quaisar Butt, 25, Amir Butt, 27, Faisal Butt, 27 all of Dunheaved Road, Thornton Heath, Usman Ashgar, 25 of Moreland Road, Vij Vijayan, 18, of Constance Road, Rivden Das, 21, of Panton Close, Gene Faria, 29, of Manning Gardens, Levis Davis 29, of Strathmore Road and Robert Robinson, 33, of Ecclesbourne Road, Croydon, appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine.

Bilai Mir, 39, of no fixed address, was charged with immigration offences and remanded into custody.

Four other men aged, 28, 20, 24 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. They have been bailed pending further investigation.