A Lewisham teenager was arrested yesterday after raids targeting a gang based in the borough suspected of trafficking local children to transport drugs.

Seven alleged members of a criminal network based in Lewisham were arrested in London, Kent and Hampshire after 11 warrants were executed from 5am.

The operation, codenamed Operation Pibera, was part of the Met’s ongoing crackdown on gang crime.

The 18-year-old man from Lewisham was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Others arrested were two 20-year-old men from Winchester and Tottenham, a 42-year-old man from Portsmouth, a 32-year-old man from Folkestone, a 16-year-old youth from Cookham and a 31-year-old woman of no fixed address.

The remaining six were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Police yesterday also seized a large quantity of crack cocaine, £1,500 and a press believed to be used to package drugs.

A total of 250 police officers took part in the raids.