Police have seized a “substantial” amount of drugs believed to be skunk cannabis and crack cocaine in an early morning raid on two properties in a Shropshire town.

About £700 in cash and suspected drug paraphernalia was also seized by officers during the swoop on the properties in the Belle Vue area of Shrewsbury at about 7.30am today.

A man in his 20s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply illegal drugs.

The two men remain in custody at Shrewsbury Police Station and were due to be interviewed later today.

Up to 14 student police officers took part in the raid, called Operation Sheriff, who were fully supervised by regular officers.

Constable Anthony Chester-McCabe said: “We seized a substantial quantity of what we believe to be skunk from Brunel Way, along with drug paraphernalia, and amounts of what we believe to be crack cocaine and skunk from Stephenson Drive.”

The operation was part of the training for student officers, who applied for the warrants at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court last night before carrying out the raid.

“We worked in partnership with Severnside, acting on intelligence received in recent weeks and months from both the Crimestoppers number and from community support officers who have been given information by members of the public,” said Constable McCabe.

“These operations are never one-offs and we will continue clamping down on those concerned in the production and supply of illegal drugs.”