Felixstowe police in raid

DRUGS were today being analysed after being seized in a series of raids in a meticulously-planned police operation at Felixstowe.More than 35 officers took part in executing warrants following weeks of intelligence gathering.

DRUGS were today being analysed after being seized in a series of raids in a meticulously-planned police operation at Felixstowe.

More than 35 officers took part in executing warrants following weeks of intelligence gathering.

At some properties officers smashed down doors with a concrete "key" - before carrying out searches by hand and with sniffer dogs.

Other officers kept watch on drains in case drugs were flushed down toilets, and at the rear of properties. In one case a dog was used to search the grounds after something was believed to have been thrown from a window.

During the raids amounts of cannabis resin, heroin, drug-taking equipment and an offensive weapon were seized. A quantity of pills was also being analysed today after being found in the engine compartment of a car.

Six houses were searched, including properties in Cornwall Road; Bath Road; Lancaster House, The Walk; Butley Road; and Dains Place, Trimley St Mary.

Four cars and 15 people were also searched.

A 32-year-old man from Felixstowe was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis and is due to appear before magistrates at Ipswich on March 30.

Acting Detective Inspector David Skevington said: "Officers from all over the county came to Felixstowe to carry out these warrants as part of our ongoing Operation Crackdown campaign and it's a good example of how we are utilising staff where they are needed, when they are needed, through flexible tasking to specific jobs and areas.

"Lots of people have put in work to co-ordinate these warrants. The aim was to recover drugs and to disrupt the activities of those suspected of involvement in drug supply and we have achieved this.

"We will continue to carry out warrants both in Felixstowe and elsewhere as part of ongoing activities to target suspected dealers."

Officers taking part included the Eastern Area Support Team (AST) - members from the south team which covers Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Leiston, and north team from Lowestoft and Beccles.

There were also officers from the west and south ASTs, Felixstowe community police officers, the dog unit, and Special Area Support Team, comprising Special Constables from across the eastern area.

Sector commanders can call on the AST specialist unit to help target local problems and bring in more resources to a town or area when needed.

The aim is to make policing increasingly flexible and responsive to deal with demand - ensuring the right number of officers at right time to do the right job.

The AST is used not only for drug operations, but can be called upon for a variety of work - including to bolster patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour, specialist targeted operations to catch burglars or specific criminals, policing at local events, or covert surveillance work.

n Anyone with information about the supply of drugs can contact the Operation Crackdown hotline on 0800 253253.