Nine people have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering offences after police swooped on a dozen addresses across London and Essex.
Officers seized more than £300,000 cash, approximately 10 kilos of cocaine and a number of vehicles when they executed search warrants on Tuesday.
The raids came after a joint investigation by the National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service Organised Crime Partnership (OCP).
Following the long-running investigation, it is alleged that members of the criminal group supplied controlled drugs across London using mopeds, under the pretence that they were learning the taxi 'knowledge' to avoid detection from law enforcement.
Niall Kellaghan, 28, from New Eltham, Joseph Maloney, 32, from Shoreditch, Dean Standen, 32, from Eltham, Jack Lynam, 26, from Surrey Quays all appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning.
Appearing in the dock alongside them were Jay Tripp, 33, from Fyfield in Essex, Frederick Jennings, 19, from Lewisham, and Daniel Ward, 32, from Beckenham.
Thelma Flaherty, 60, from Surrey Quays and Daniel Harris, 32, from Theydon Bois in Epping also faced charges at the same court.
All nine have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering.
Eight were remanded in custody until their next appearance on April 1 at the Old Bailey, while Frederick Jennings was released on bail until the same date.
A further three people – a 60-year-old man from Walworth, a 31-year-old man from Shoreditch and a 32-year-old woman from Epping have been bailed for three months pending further enquiries.
Head of the Organised Crime Partnership Spencer Barnett said: “We will continue to work in collaboration with our partners to identify and investigate serious criminality and bring offenders to justice.”
