Almost 30 people have been arrested in drug raids in properties as part of a major police crackdown on Class A drug-dealing gangs in Ipswich.

A total of 28 people were arrested as part of a week-long enforcement action designed to detain people suspected of dealing heroin and crack cocaine in the town, police said.

Warrants were carried at addresses in Ipswich and London as part of a major operation, which started last autumn, targeting London-based dealer networks bringing drugs in to the town.

All 28 people arrested were taken in to custody at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

The operation started on Sunday night when police officers stopped a vehicle on the A12 at Copdock which was believed to be travelling up from London to Ipswich.

Four people – a 17-year-old boy and a 29-year-old man from south-east London, a 20-year-old woman from Ipswich and a 22-year-old woman from Woolwich – were arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

The 17-year-old boy and 20-year-old woman were charged and detained for court while the 22-year-old woman and 29-year-old man have been bailed to return to police in May.

On Monday police carried out warrants at seven premises in London and four in Ipswich and a further nine people were arrested – a 37-year-old woman, a 34-year-old woman, a 47-year-old man, a 43-year-old man, a 40-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, all from Ipswich, and a 45-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy from London.

Eight of these have been bailed to return to police with the ninth – the 19-year-old woman from London – charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

On Tuesday police carried out warrants at four further addresses in Ipswich and detained a total of six people, all from Ipswich, including a 49-year-old man, a 40-year-old man, a 36-year-old man, a 33-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy.

Three of these were subsequently charged and detained for court, two were bailed and one faces no further action.

On Wednesday there were two further arrests – a 52-year-old man and a 21-year-old man, both from Ipswich – and both men were charged.

The 52-year-old was detained for court while the 21-year-old was bailed to appear at a later date.

On Thursday there were four arrests – one in London and three in Ipswich. Three men – a 31-year-old, a 38-year-old and a 53-year-old were charged while a 19-year-old man from London was bailed.

And today there have been three further arrests – a 27-year-old woman from Ipswich, who has already been charged with possession of heroin and bailed to appear at court, and a 19-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead and a 17-year-old boy from Enfield who are both currently in custody at Martlesham - taking the total to 28 for week.

Most of those arrested during the week were detained on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, or conspiracy to supply, class A drugs.

Detective Inspector Gary Bloomfield, of Suffolk & Norfolk’s Serious & Organised Crime Unit, said the week had been a success.

“We anticipated a large number of arrests and are pleased that the whole operation has gone to plan,” he said.

“So far we have charged 12 people and work continues around those who have initially been bailed.

“The aim of the operation was to disrupt the supply of drugs into Ipswich and this enforcement action has shown that we will take action against those believed to be involved in selling class A substances.

“Our work will continue over the next few months as these cases progress.”

“Although it may take time to gather the evidence needed for enforcement action we are committed to doing all we can to tackle the dealers and address the problem they bring to local communities.”

People with information about the supply of drugs are urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555111.