Police in major drugs raids across Shropshire
[gallery] Police carried out a major series of drugs raids in Shropshire today, involving scores of officers targeting 25 addresses across the county.
More than 300 officers in 100 vehicles took part in the operation, in which police in riot gear smashed their way into homes.
The majority of the raids were focused on the Telford area, with properties targeted in Arleston, Brookside, Wellington and Hadley.
Raids were also carried out in Shifnal, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.
A total of 16 men and five women were today being questioned following the raids.
The operation was described as "one of the biggest" to be carried out jointly by West Mercia and Warwickshire police forces.
Police also swooped at a house in Hanwood, near Shrewsbury. One man is understood to have been arrested and police were searching the house for evidence of organised crime and class A drug offences.
A total of 23 warrants were executed at addresses across Shropshire.
Officers, some in full riot gear, used a battering ram to enter homes before carrying out searches during the raids which all got under way at 7.30am.
Riot vans, patrol cars and unmarked vehicles from West Mercia and Warwickshire police forces gathered near Cosford before travelling in convoy along the M54 and splitting off to carry out the raids.
Officers said during a "seamless, co-ordinated and targeted operation" battering rams were used to break into the houses and up to 10 officers swarmed in to search each room for occupants. Arrests were made and suspects taken to police stations.
Detective Superintendent Daryn Elton said: "We are very satisfied with today's great result but it won't stop here. We will continue to fight against the drug issue. Today has resulted in the arrest of significant figures involved in serious organised crime."
Superintendent Nav Malik, police commander in Telford, added: "Today is a clear message to anyone involved in organised crime and the supply of class A drugs. We are not leaving any stone unturned and we will target them."
Warrants were executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act and arrests were made at properties including Bush Close in Dothill, Marton Drive and Orleton Mews in Wellington, Arleston Avenue in Arleston, Aston Road in Shifnal, Hurleybrook Way in Leegomery, Burford on the Brookside estate, and Spout Way in Malinslee.
Officers were also armed with chainsaws to help them access properties. Three properties in Manor Road in Arleston were also among the addresses targeted following a 12-month investigation into organised crime and drugs in the county.
A resident in Manor Road, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is not nice to see what is happening in the area. This was once a select area to live in but not anymore. I am not happy with what is going on, we shouldn't have to put up with it. We just shut our curtains and try to get on with things.
"I think the police are marvellous and the work they are doing to stop it getting worse. It could have got worse, it's been going on for years and everyone is worried."
A three-year drugs strategy was launched by the West Mercia and Warwickshire forces this month. Among the key aims for the strategy are identifying and dismantling trafficking and dealer networks, closing drug factories and combating the markets themselves.
Detective Superintendent Graeme Pallister, who is co-ordinating the strategy, said: "Compared to the situation in many major cities our drug problems may appear small but if drugs have made your life a misery then it's still a misery, whether you live next door to a dealer, your son or daughter has become an addict, or you have been burgled by a drug user."
Figures released by the forces earlier this month revealed that between the start of the year and the end of August, a total 199 offences of cannabis production were recorded by West Mercia Police and 162 by Warwickshire Police.
Bill Longmore, West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner, welcomed today's raids and warned offenders that his officers would be going after them.
He added: "Drug misuse is a serious issue causing harm not only to the health and well-being of the individual that is affected by it, but that of their families and the wider community. It is also a major driver of crime.
"Because of this, reducing the harm caused by drugs is one of my priorities in my Police and Crime Plan."
