Police officers swooped on a house in Croydon on Tuesday uncovering a loaded sawn-off shotgun and two kilos of marijuana.

The 13 officers, from the Croydon Gangs Unit, working hand-in-hand with the Crime Squad, executed a warrant at the house and found the haul of drugs spread across the bed while the shotgun was hidden behind a mirror.

Also found in the Kidderminster Road flat was more than £5,000 in cash, roughly £200 of which was stained with security dye, similar to that used in security van cases.

The unarmed officers discovered the shotgun after continuing to search the house despite already finding the drugs and the cash.

A police source said: “It wasn’t exactly hidden very well. A mirror had been propped up against the wall and behind it was a sports bag containing the gun.”

Detective Inspector Ian Anderson said: “The safety and security of Croydon residents is of paramount importance to all our activities.

“The newly formed proactive operations department for Croydon is determined to improve the quality of life for residents and are committed to preventing crime at all levels.”

A 27-year-old man appeared in Croydon Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with possession with intent to supply a class B drug and possession of a prohibited weapon, a sawn off shotgun.