VIDEO: Early-morning raids lead to the arrest of 16 drug-dealing suspects in town

DRUG raids led to the arrest of 16 suspected dealers yesterday.

The suspects, 13 males aged between 15 and 49 and three women aged 18, 26 and 28, were detained on suspicion of supplying drugs including heroin, crack cocaine and MCAT.

The early-morning raids in Burton, carried out as part of Operation Nemesis, involved more than 250 officers and police staff.

It followed months of detailed investigation and planning by specialist investigation teams from Staffordshire Police. Searches of the numerous properties targeted are now being carried out by scenes-of-crimes officers and specialist search dogs.

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The first wave of Operation Nemesis was on January 16, when 18 people were arrested. Sixteen were charged with drug supply offences.

Local neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs have been deployed in the areas where yesterday's 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 information from the public which they provide to police directly or through the independent charity Crimestoppers.

"All information is taken seriously."

Appealing to the public directly, Mr Maskrey said the police were "not alone in the battle against drugs".

He added: "You could make a real difference and help us to get more drug dealers off our streets.

"With your support, we will continue to bring those involved in this serious criminal activity to justice."

Anyone with any information on drug activity in their area should contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.