Cambridgeshire: Drugs Raids

24 April 2012, 09:06 | Updated: 24 April 2012, 13:07

Around 300 police simultaneously raided 18 addresses this morning following a long-term investigation into the supply of Class A drugs in Cambridgeshire.

19 people were arrested as raids were carried out in Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Cottenham, Fulbourn, Milton, Waterbeach, St Ives, Sutton, Burwell and Needingworth.

Arrests were also made in Chelmsford in Essex and in Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk where cannabis plants were also discovered.

The door to each property was bashed in at 7am today (Tuesday) after Police obtained warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The raids were the culmination of a long-term investigation into the supply of Class A drugs, mainly high purity cocaine, in Cambridgeshire called Operation Vanguard.

Arrests were made on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, mainly cocaine.

Those arrested have been taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough for questioning.

Arrests have also been made in Northamptonshire and Hampshire in connection with the investigation.

Police handed out leaflets explaining the operation to residents who live near to the houses that were raided.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Alderson, who led the operation, said: "These raids are part of the force's ongoing campaign to stop Class A drugs being sold in Cambridgeshire.

The use and supply of drugs is not only illegal, it also fuels other types of crime.

We take this type of offending very seriously and would urge anyone with information to contact police."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.