Sixteen people arrested in Burton on suspicion of supplying drugs

SEVENTEEN people were arrested in Burton today on suspicion of supplying Class A and Class B drugs.

They were detained as part of the force's ongoing Operation Nemesis crackdown on major drug dealers.

The raids involved more than 250 officers and police staff and followed months of detailed investigation and planning by specialist investigation teams from Staffordshire Police.

The suspects, 16 men aged between 19 and 52 and a 30-year-old woman, were arrested during the raids in various areas across the town. They were detained on suspicion of supplying drugs including heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and cannabis and taken to custody for interview.

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One of those arrested, a 19-year-old Burton man, has been released with a warning for cannabis possession. The others remain in custody for questioning.

Searches of the numerous properties targeted are now being carried out by scenes of crimes officers and specialist search dogs.

Local neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs have been deployed in the areas where the raids happened to reassure residents.

Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey, local policing team commander for East Staffordshire, said: "Operation Nemesis is Staffordshire Police's commitment to tackling major drug dealers and bringing them to justice. Drugs misuse will not be tolerated in Staffordshire.

"We appreciate and act on the public's help who give us information direct, or through the independent charity Crimestoppers. All information is taken seriously.

"You could make a real difference and help us to get more drug dealers off our streets.  The police are not alone in the battle against drugs. With your support we will continue to bring those involved in this serious criminal activity to justice. You may think that your concerns about a person, suspicious vehicles or activity, is insignificant but that information could be a vital piece in the jigsaw.

"By working together with your help and our partners, we can continue to take action against those believed involved in such crime and improve life for the communities we serve.

"With a number of suspected drug dealers arrested we're disrupting the drugs supply and working with our partners to provide support to drug users.

"This is an opportunity for us all. By working in partnership with the local authority and drug and alcohol action team, we can help those dependent on drugs to make positive changes and live healthy and crime-free lives."

Anyone with any information on drug supply or use in their area should contact Staffordshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.