Firearms seized in police raids
Guns
The raids were carried out by the Operation Trident team
Officers have uncovered a stash of hundreds of guns in what is described as one of the biggest weapons seizures in the Metropolitan Police's history.

Three addresses were raided during dawn raids on Wednesday in Dartford, Kent, as part of an 18-month investigation into shootings in north London.

A 55-year-old man has been arrested during the raids, which involved 30 police officers.

Law enforcement agencies in the US have carried out linked raids in New Jersey.

The weapons police have seized included shotguns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals
Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis

BBC London's crime correspondent Guy Smith said some of the firearms were legitimate but police suspect many others could be illegal.

He added live ammunition was discovered on the garage floor at one address.

The Met's Operation Trident team, which investigates gun crime within London's black community, carried out the raids.

Officers raided two residential and one commercial address at about 0600 BST.

The weapons were found at one of the residential premises.

The operation - codenamed Mokpo - was launched 18 months ago following a spate of shootings in north London involving rival gangs.

Det Ch Supt Kevin Davis, from Operation Trident, said: "This operation has resulted in hundreds of guns being taken out of circulation and has potentially prevented a number of serious injuries or even deaths occurring on the streets of London.

"It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of criminals.

"Today's seizure demonstrates Trident's determination not only to target the gunmen but also tackle those who are responsible for supplying guns in the first place." - THE MANUFACTURERS SURELY??