Detectives have smashed an Organized Crime Gang (OCG) who have been put behind bars for more than 160 years following a 15-month operation.
The gang was supplying multiple kilos of Class A drugs and while also gun running, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
Officers from the Specialist Crime Command gathered overwhelming evidence of the gang's involvement in the supply of Class A drugs and firearms leading to the seizure of 200kgs of drugs, firearms, ammunition and cash.
Head of the criminal gang Ross Payton employed family and friends including his sister Shainie Payton, her boyfriend Darren Goodge, his uncle Lee Souter, his cousin Jamie Dennison and associates Reece Mort and Alfie Malone, the court was told.
Those seven were jailed for a total of 90 years for drugs offences acquiring or using criminal property.
Fifteen other gang members were sentenced at previous hearings to a combined 70 years.
The tally for the entire gang was 160 years.
The OCG travelled across London, the Home Counties and Scotland, transporting drugs, firearms and cash using a fleet of vehicles containing sophisticated hiding places.
Detective Inspector Nikki Owen, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command Proactive team, who led the investigation said: “The conviction of these individuals will have a significant impact on drugs supply in London and the UK as a whole.
"Officers worked hard over a protracted period to ensure that this criminal gang was stopped. I am incredibly proud of their efforts to bring these individuals to justice. London is undoubtedly safer because of the team work, dedication and commitment of the Met.
“Alongside significant seizures of class A and B drugs, firearms, cash and assets, the investigation team identified and safeguarded a number of vulnerable people who had been exploited by the gang. In all, 22 people have now been convicted and sentenced to a combined total of over 160 years.
"I hope that this result offers some reassurance to communities that the Met is determined to robustly deal with high harm offenders, reduce crime and restore trust and confidence.”
The police operation began in March 2020 and was designed to dismantle the supply and distribution of Class A drugs around south-east London. A large scale surveillance operation was launched involving a number of individuals and locations.
The initial phase of the investigation identified, investigated, arrested and prosecuted four low-level members of the organised criminal group (OCG) for various drug offences.
Following their arrests, detectives utilised material from their mobile phones, seizures at their home addresses and other intelligence to progress the operation leading to the conviction of the leader of the OCG, his allies and other key individuals.
