Police involved in a week-long drugs crackdown in Ipswich arrested 12 people during a series of raids, leading to four of them being charged.

Around 200 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were found after the search warrants were executed during the operation.

The raids were the latest stage in a multi-agency bid to drive drug-businesses, primarily from London and to a lesser extent Liverpool, out of the town.

Detective Inspector Matt Connick said: “This forms part of Operation Volcanic which has been running for several years in Ipswich.

“Last week was a concerted effort against those dealing Class A drugs in the town.

“Over the past seven days we have conducted eight searches of addresses, made 12 arrests and have seized approximately £3,100 in cash.

“We will continue our action into this week.

“We understand the importance of how Class A drugs link to other crimes in Ipswich and the level of criminality in the town.

“While we understand there’s a high demand, it is not something we are going to let up on.

“We are trying to make it a really difficult environment for Class A drug dealers to operate in.”

Among those charged last week were Desmond Brown, 32, of Main Street, Rugby, Warwickshire. He is accused of possession with intent to supply cocaine.

Chris Brown, 28, and Stephanie McKenzie, 29, both of Heatherhayes, Ipswich, have been charged with failing to attend an initial assessment following a test for the presence of Class A drugs.

They are due to appear before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on September 27.

A 17-year-old male from Ipswich, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with possession of cannabis and is due before Ipswich youth court next month.

Last week two drug dealers from Liverpool were jailed after a raid at an Ipswich town centre flat in July netted drugs worth more than £4,000.

Officers executed a search warrant at Pipers Court, Old Foundry Road, and arrested Ben Carter and John-Paul Rolland who were at the premises.

Quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, worth £4,000-£6,000, which were in the process of being bagged up for sale were seized, said Nicola May, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court.

She said the drugs seized included 76 street deals of crack cocaine as well as 20grammes of heroin.

A mobile phone seized from Rolland was found to contain text messages consistent with class A drug dealing.

Rolland, 24, and Carter, 28, each admitted possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.

Rolland was jailed for three years and Carter was jailed for 32 months.