Major drugs swoop in Swindon

Police arrested 16 people on Wednesday in a major operation to combat class A drug dealing in Swindon.

More than 100 police officers executed 19 warrants and seized what police say is "a substantial amount of cash and a quantity of drugs, believed to be heroin and cannabis."

The street value of the drugs is currently unclear.

The raids were part of Operation Defy, which was launched in January.

'Hard core'

Inspector Andy Deegan, from the town's Police Crime Intelligence Unit, said: "We have aggressively and proactively pursued a course of intelligence gathering, aimed at assessing the level of drug abuse in the town.

"This has allowed us to identify a hard core of drug dealing affecting the heart of local communities and those involved in the supply of heroin."

The 16 people - one woman and 15 men - were arrested in connection with the unlawful supply of class A drugs.

They are currently in custody at Swindon Central Police Station, awaiting interview.