143 suspects arrested from raids

Stolen goods, firearms and drugs were recovered in Neath Port Talbot

A total of 143 people have been arrested during a police crackdown on burglars and drug dealers in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

Operation Eagle ran for three days and saw 119 arrests for offences including violence, drug possession, burglary theft and criminal damage in Swansea.

Meanwhile in Neath Port Talbot, the same operation saw 24 arrests.

Firearms, goods worth more than £100,000 and class A drugs including heroin were recovered.

In Swansea, Operation Eagle began on Tuesday and involved officers from across the force and from the South Wales Police serious and organised crime task force.

Supt Julian Williams, head of policing operations for the Swansea division, said: "[The operation] has targeted criminals in the Swansea area, and the message to these people is that we will continue to crack down on the minority in Swansea committing these offences.

"Our aim is to make Swansea a safer place to live."

Det Ch Insp Huw Lewis said: "This was an extremely successful operation which sent a clear message out to criminals in the area.

"The effective use of police resources helped bring 119 criminals to justice which is bound to have a massive impact on the communities throughout Swansea."

'Forensic clues'

In Neath Port Talbot officers from across the South Wales force area were also involved in the operation.

Police said many of the arrests were for burglary after the culprits left forensic clues at the scene.

The operation was led by Det Sgt Mark Jones, who said: "Neath Port Talbot is made up of many close-knit settled communities and when there is crime it is felt by a large proportion of the community.

"Operation Eagle has been a success in every sense. We have sent out a clear message that we will crack down on those individuals who break the law."

Also among the haul of stolen property recovered was a £80,000 Mercedes Benz car taken during a house burglary in Skewen.

Det Insp David Rees said: "Many of the arrests were for burglary where the culprits have left forensic clues at the scene which have been developed by our staff and have now resulted in arrests.

"We will leave no stone unturned in our fight against crime and will use every forensic opportunity to bring offenders to justice."