Solicitors held in drugs raids

Police targeted addresses across Lancashire and in West Yorkshire

Eleven people have been arrested in Lancashire and West Yorkshire by police investigating a drug trafficking operation.

Detectives carried out early morning raids at six solicitors' offices and a number of private addresses on Wednesday morning.

Computer equipment and documents were seized while three solicitors were among those arrested.

Their offices are in Blackburn, Burnley, Earby and Colne in Lancashire and in Keighley, in West Yorkshire.

The private addresses are in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Padiham and Colne - all in Lancashire.

Jailed ringleader

A man from Burnley was also arrested in Malaga, Spain, by Spanish police and will be extradited to the UK.

The National Crime Squad said the arrests of eight men and three women were part of Operation Norfolk - a large anti-drug smuggling operation based in Chorley.

It is investigating the operation led by Matthew Glover, 40, of Burnley, who was jailed last year for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

He was dubbed the "managing director" of the operation, which sold drugs across the north of England.

Manchester Crown Court was told he enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, paid for by his drugs earnings which were believed to total £3m.

A National Crime Squad spokesman said officers suspected others of helping Glover launder money and Wednesday's arrests were a part of that investigation.