COPS have arrested 17 people and seized a cocaine and heroin with a street value of around �10,000 in a series of dawn raids in Stepney this morning (Thursday). Officers also found a gun and ammunition at one of the flats they raided on the Ocean Estate.

COPS have arrested 17 people and seized a cocaine and heroin with a street value of around �10,000 in a series of dawn raids in Stepney this morning (Thursday).

Officers also found a gun and ammunition at one of the flats they raided on the Ocean Estate.

Officers from Tower Hamlets police were assisted by riot police from the Territorial Support Group and a dog unit when they used search warrants to raid 12 flats on the estate off the Mile End Road.

All 17 people were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and one person was also arrested for possession of a firearm.

They are currently in custody at east London police stations.

Cops say today's raids were the culmination of months of intelligence gathering and was aimed at people believed to be involved in widespread drug dealing after complaints from people living on the estate.

Det Insp Des McHugh said: "Today's activity was the culmination of a pre-planned operation to disrupt and arrest those believed to be involved in drug dealing.

"We listened to the concerns of the wider community and will continue to do so, using a variety of tactics to arrest these people.