VIDEO Police carried out early morning raids on the homes of suspected drug dealers in Ipswich today.Twenty officers were involved as police swooped on two flats in Downside Close just after 7.30am.

By Colin Adwent

POLICE carried out early morning raids on the homes of suspected drug dealers in Ipswich today.

Twenty officers were involved as police swooped on two flats in Downside Close just after 7.30am.

The raids were part of Operation Academy, a major initiative targeting pushers infiltrating the town from London and other areas.

Wraps of heroin and cocaine, along with a £1,000 in cash were discovered during a search of one of the flats today.

Two men were detained during the raids, with one subsequently arrested on suspicion of drug dealing.

The suspect, who is in his early 20s, was taken to Ipswich police station for questioning.

The raids were on one-bedroom flats on the ground and second floor of the same block in Downside Close. They came after police received information from people in the area over their suspicions of drug-dealing.

The man leading today's operation, acting inspector Nick Power said: “The residents and housing association have gone to their safer neighbourhood team.

“They expressed concern that they have perceived there to be people that don't live here and potential drug activity was taking place.

“We have got warrants and acted to reinforce and reassure the community that we will take any intelligence seriously.”

In addition to the crack cocaine, heroin and cash discovered during searches of the properties, other drug paraphernalia including syringes and foil were found.

Downside Close has historically been targeted by drug dealers plying their trade in Ipswich and a few years ago pushers from Liverpool were found to be using it as a base.

At the beginning of this month detective chief inspector Louisa Pepper, who is heading up Operation Academy, said nearly 94 arrests had been made since the crackdown began in January.

Around 1,100 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin had also been seized, along with more than £9,000 in cash.

Those figures are likely to have increased substantially as May draws to a close.

Det ch insp Pepper said: “I think the drug dealers know we are targeting them. We won't tolerate it and will focus our attention on bringing them before the courts.”

If you have any information about drug dealing telephone Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.