Havering Police seized a stash of cocaine along with cars and money which were part of “criminal lifestyles” in a one-day sweep of the borough.

Working with Havering Council fraud investigators, officers conducted searches and arrests as part of a London-wide operation targeting economic crime including money laundering, fraud and drugs offences.

Three people were arrested for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply after 20 wraps and two small blocks of cocaine were found.

The drugs, cash and two vehicles were seized after the Havering address was searched.

A police spokesman said drug use had a big impact on crime in the borough.

She added: “By taking these drugs of the streets and bringing offenders to justice, we will impact on other crimes and improve the quality of life of all Havering residents.”

People were also arrested for benefit fraud totalling �60,000.

Operation Simtone aimed to remove the financial incentive for crime, get back illegally-gained money and bring offenders to justice.

Head of Havering CID, Detective Chief Inspector Phil Rickells, said: “The Metropolitan Police is an intelligence-led organisation and relies on intelligence being passed on to the police.

“This enables us to focus our efforts on the right individuals and we encourage the public to continue to support us in this way.”

Local pawnshops were also visited as part of the operation to help them avoid stolen goods and work with the police to return items to their rightful owners.

Criminals in the capital were deprived of more than �2.4million on the day and 158 people were arrested for offences linked to economic crime.

A spokeswoman said the Metropolitan Police will work to “hit offenders where it hurts” and ensure crime does not pay.