POLICE MESSAGE TO DRUG DEALERS - WE'RE COMING TO FIND YOU

A HUGE crackdown on the top drug dealers in Blackburn has been
launched as police warned - "we are coming to find you".

Eight suspected drug dealers were arrested yesterday after
early-morning raids - the biggest in the town this year - at six
houses in the town.

Thousands of pounds worth of class A drugs were seized, including
crack, heroin and cocaine, as well as cash and mobile phones.

Chief Inspector Alice Knowles said the raids sent a strong message to
those selling drugs. She said: "We will rid the streets of these dealers."

Over 70 officers from across Lancashire were deployed at six addresses
in the town in Skye Crescent, Carr Street, Wain Court, East Street,
Grindleton Road and Rawstorne Street.

The raids, part of Operation Nimrod, began at 8am and involved
officers using drug detection dogs.

And police said raids would continue to target the drug dealers who
bring "misery" to the community.

Members of the local community who has helped provide information to
the police, were invited to view the operation.

Chief Insp Knowles said: "Today we have sent a very clear message that
the police will take action against anyone suspected of dealing in
Class A drugs.

"This is just the start of a wider campaign to rid our streets of
drugs and the people who supply them.

"We simply will not tolerate this behaviour in East
Lancashire.

"Our communities have said that they do not want people who deal drugs
to live among them."

Posters were put up at each of the homes that were raided to let local
residents know that a suspected drug dealer had been arrested.

During the raids officers said they had recovered quantities of
cocaine, heroin and cannabis. They said that at a house in Carr Street
one suspect tried to escape police by throwing a small package,
believed to contain cocaine, out of a window.

But the package was recovered by officers after breaking on the
pavement in front of the house.

Operation Nimrod, which focuses on drug dealers, is set to continue in
the coming weeks with further raids.

Police said the raids had come in response to concerns from the
community and specific information received from residents.

The information had come through local community beat managers as well
as the community Drug Action Group.

A ninth person who was arrested was later released without
charge.

Police are urging anyone with information about drug dealing in their
community to contact them on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.