EIGHT men have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after three vehicles were stopped on the M6 motorway.

Detectives said a "huge recovery" of suspected controlled drugs was made following the pre-planned operation in Staffordshire.

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The suspects were taken to police stations in Staffordshire and Cheshire after officers stopped three vehicles - a Vauxhall Insignia, a Renault Laguna and a Hackney cab - yesterday evening.

The raids were carried out by officers from the North West Regional Crime Unit, Titan and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Four men from London, aged 25, 28, 29 and 56; a 45-year-old man from Northolt; two men from Poland, aged 32 and 48; and a 44-year-old man from the Netherlands are being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Searches are also ongoing at properties in Manchester, Essex and London.

Detective Chief Inspector John Webster, from Titan, said: "This was a pre-planned operation and again shows how Titan work with agencies and other forces across geographical borders to ensure those involved in the supply of drugs are stopped.

"This was a huge recovery of what is believed to be controlled drugs and Titan and the NCA have now taken these drugs out of the hands of criminals so they can no longer be used on our streets to cause misery and harm."