Police arrested a man and woman after a series of drug raids that unearthed a cannabis factory and a firearm.

Officers swooped on nine addresses in Hampton, Staines, and Shepperton and made eight arrests as part of Operation Hyades on Tuesday, January 15.

At an address in Linden Road, Hampton, police found a small quantity of a substance, believed to be heroin, as well as paraphernalia connected to the supply of drugs.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs. She was later cautioned due to the small amount of drugs involved.

An 18-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. He was released on bail until Thursday, January 31.

During the operation, police also discovered a suspected cannabis factory in Shepperton and seized a firearm in Staines.

Detective Inspector Jake Nuttall, who led the operation, said: “We have seized suspected drugs from a number of addresses, which has prevented the substances from entering the supply chain. We have also built up vital intelligence about those involved in the use and supply of drugs.

“I hope these raids send a strong message to both those involved in criminality and the wider public that we will not tolerate those who blight our communities with illegal drugs and other associated offending.”