A CROSS-BORDER police operation in east London and west Essex saw 17 people arrested in a clampdown on drug gangs.

Houses across Chingford and an address in Valley Hill, Loughton, were targeted in the operation which saw more than 100 officers from the Met involved in cooperation with Essex Police.

The operation, which was the largest of its kind in the last three-and-a-half years ,saw police seize cash, drug-related paraphernalia, guns and stolen property.

Months of preparation work was carried out for the raids which police have said will have a significant impact on the supply of class A drugs along the London/Essex border.

Anyone with information about drug or gun crime is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.