Eight people have been charged with drug offences after a series of 30 successful early morning raids in Croydon earlier this week.

Nineteen people were arrested across two days of raids in south London in a major operation targeting criminal activity, antisocial behaviour and drug use.

Police have named the following eight people who have since been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

  • Chevan Ellis, 24, of Violet Lane, Croydon. He has been bailed to appear at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 10 September.
  • Jack Green, 25, of London Road, Croydon. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 10 September.
  • Junior McCarthy, 24, of Waddon New Road, Croydon has been charged with six counts of supplying Class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin). He has been bailed to appear at court on Friday, 6 November.
  • A 17-year-old male has been charged with four counts of supplying Class A drugs (heroin and cocaine). He has been bailed to appear at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 10 September.
  • A 16-year-old male has been charged with two counts of supplying Class A drugs. He will appear at court on a date yet to be set.
  • A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He has been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

A further 12 warrants were executed on Thursday, 13 August as part of the same operation with a number of arrests made. The following have since been charged:

  • Camara Jeffrey, 20, of Dressington Avenue, Lewisham has been charged with possession of Class A drugs and has been bailed to appear at court at a date yet to be set.
  • Byran Andrade, 19, of St Peters Road, Croydon has been charged with six counts of supplying Class A drugs. He has been bailed to appear at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday, 15 September.
  • Alessandro Battellani, 45, of Heathfield Gardens, Croydon has been charged with eight counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was remanded in custody and will appear at court on Friday, 14 August.
  • A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs but was released with no further action.

More than 200 officers took part in each of the two days of the operation. It was led by local officers, with additional support provided by officers from the Territorial Support Group.

Items seized so far include quantities of Class A and Class B drugs, and a quantity of cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Dan O’Sullivan, from South Area Command, said: “Our commitment to combat criminality and anti-social behaviour has never been stronger.

“We always seek to improve and develop stronger and more effective tactics to do this, but we need our community to help us.

“The support of the people we serve is essential to achieve positive change and today I would like to thank all those who have helped us.

“We will always act on the concerns of the community and work with them to tackle criminality blighting neighbourhoods.

“If you do have concerns or intelligence please call police on 101, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestopppers on 0800 55 111.”