Raids after Darwen drugs supply probe
8:47am Tuesday 20th May 2008
A DARWEN woman is one of four people who have been arrested following a series of early morning raids in connection with the supply of Class A drugs in Darwen.
More than 60 officers from East Lancashire police were deployed to Darwen, Preston and Liverpool in the operation which began at 6am and involved a number of specialist police officers including operational support units, CID, drug detection dogs and neighbourhood policing teams.
Warrants were executed at five addresses, including Newton Street in Darwen, a property in Liverpool and three in Preston.
A 35-year-old-woman from Newton Street, a 23-year-old man and 18-year-old man from Preston, and a 16-year-old boy from Liverpool were arrested in connection with possession and supply of Class A drugs and will be questioned by police in Blackburn today.
Thorough searches of all properties will now be carried out by police search teams.
Led by Eastern Division's Targeted Crime Unit, five people have already been arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, part of a major operation aimed at disrupting serious and organised crime in East Lancashire.
Officer in charge of the operation, Detective Inspector Pete Simm, said: "This morning we have targeted people who are suspected of travelling into Eastern Division to commit serious crime.
"We have arrested a number of people who we believe have been dealing Class A drugs in Darwen and this should have a significant impact on the supply of drugs in the area.
"Today's operation has been made possible due to extra resources the constabulary will receive through the increase in this year's council tax and will help us to make a significant impact on serious and organised crime.
"This should act as a serious warning to people who think they can travel into Eastern Division to commit crime that we will target you and endeavour to bring you to justice."
Anyone with information or concerns about crime is urged to contact police on 0845 1253545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.