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The illegal industry is believed to have been making approximately a million pounds per week by importing the cannabis from Holland, hidden in wholesale flower deliveries.
Previous police activity, by the Met's Special Intelligence Section targeting the gang, has resulted in the seizure of approximately 1000 kilos of skunk cannabis.
On the raids yesterday, officers seized two money-counting machines from an address in Sutton and over 50 kilos of skunk cannabis from an address in Ashstead.
Two safes were also discovered cemented into the floor of a lock up premises in Kingston. When opened, it was discovered that they were stuffed with cash. Officers have seized in the region of £1.2 million.
Detective Inspector Steve Wilkinson, Special Intelligence Section, said:
"We believe that these criminals have been operating a highly sophisticated operation, hidden behind the guise of a legitimate flower wholesaler. We have worked closely with the other law enforcement agencies, through Europol, and the success of these raids has smashed this drugs ring, putting them permanently out of business."
Two women aged 33 and 45 and 12 men aged 45, 36, 38,41, 35, 34, 37, 36, 41, 45, 38, and 48, were all arrested during the operation.
They have been taken to a south London police station and enquiries continue.
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