Nine arrested in anti-drugs raids

Nine people have been arrested as part of a major undercover police operation targeting crack cocaine and heroin dealing in Cheltenham.

The nine were held following raids at addresses in the town, the climax of a six-month operation, said police.

Eight of those arrested, all men from Cheltenham, were charged with 26 offences and were due to appear before magistrates on Wednesday.

The ninth person, a woman from Ashleworth, received a police caution.

Seventy police officers took part in the raids in Princess Elizabeth Way, Newton Road and Buckingham Avenue on Tuesday.

The men arrested were aged from 20 to 52. They face charges including 24 counts of supplying Class A drugs.

The woman, aged 30, received a caution for possession of cannabis.