Police raided a house in Croydon this morning amid a dawn swoop on a criminal network suspected of trafficking children to carry drugs. 

The address in Bramley Hill, South Croydon, was searched by officers along with ten others in London, Portsmouth and Kent. 

Eight people were arrested on suspicion of child trafficking, supplying class A drugs, inciting supply of class A drugs and money laundering.

The arrests follow a four-month investigation involving the Metropolitan Police's Trident gangs unit, Hampshire Police and Kent Police.

Around 250 officers were today continuing to search the properties, which were raided at 5am.

Police said a large quantity of crack cocaine and press believed to be used to package drugs have been recovered, while £1,500 has been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act from an address in Canterbury.

Officers arrested an 18-year-old man in Lewisham, a 20-year-old man in Haringey, a 32-year-old man in Kent, a 42-year-old man and a 31-year old woman in Hampshire.

A 20-year-old man, a 15 year-old youth and a 36 year-old woman already in prison were also arrested. 

Detective Superintendent Tim Champion, of Trident Gang Crime Command: "Today’s activity is the result of Trident’s continued work with borough and UK colleagues to target the most high-risk offenders to keep communities, young people in London safe.

"Today’s operation should serve as a clear message to those who think they are above the law. If you use young people to support your criminal activity - we will focus our efforts on you. You will be caught, you will be arrested and you will be placed before the courts."