Police have seized a quantity of suspected cocaine after carrying out drugs raids on the Ryelands estate in Lancaster.
Officers swooped on the addresses in Ryelands Road, Austwick Road and Tarnsyke Road at 6.30pm on Friday to execute warrants, sexing suspected cocaine and drug dealing paraphernalia.
As a result of the high profile police activity, seven people were arrested on drugs related offences.
Following the raids, officers carried out reassurance work in the local community.
“Drugs and drug dealing have a detrimental affect on our neighbourhoods and will not be tolerated,” said DS Mark Stephens of Lancaster Police.
“We want residents to know that if we have evidence or intelligence about drug dealing in their area then we will act on it and those who are involved will be dealt with.”
Cocaine can command a high price on the street: the Independent Drug Monitoring Unit figures for 2008 suggests high-quality ‘Peruvian’ can command £50-£60 per gram while low-quality ‘Budget’ cocaine (under 20% purity) fetches £25-£40 per gram). In February, the Daily Telegraph reported the most common price for the drug was £40 per gram.
• Anyone with information about drugs or drug dealing should contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.