Drugs found in dawn raid

Drugs and stolen goods were found in early morning raids in Cannock and Lichfield today at the start of a week-long operation by Staffordshire Police.

Police officers smashed into a flat in Devon Road, Cannock. One man, aged 38, and a 26-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin and handling stolen goods.

Police carried out a detailed search of the flat shortly after 7.30am and found a small quantity of heroin as well as watches and power tools, which were believed to have been stolen.

Approximately £400 in cash was also recovered.

In Lichfield a team of seven police swooped on a house in Curborough Road where they uncovered a stash of heroin and cannabis.

A man, aged 42, was arrested for possession.

Both raids came on the back of tip-offs from the public and were carried out, under the umbrella of Operation Nemesis, as part of National Tackling Drugs Week, launched across the country today.

Dozens of raids are expected be carried out in Cannock, Lichfield and Burntwood areas this week with police targeting alleged suspected drug dens.

Sgt Ant Richards, from Cannock Police, said: "We want to drive this kind of crime off the streets. Typically drug dealing brings a lot of other crime and issues such as theft and groups of people coming to an area to buy drugs."

Leaflets publicising the raid will be delivered to houses near the raided properties. Members of the public who have information about drug dealing can contact Staffordshire Police on 08453 30 20 10.