Arrests in raids on dealers.

NINE people were arrested by police today in a series of dawn raids targeting drug dealers in Redditch.

Dozens of officers and detectives raided 15 homes in the town town, seizing thousands of pounds of class A drugs.

The operation, codenamed Magenta, saw 70 officers using sniffer dogs search properties.

Large quantities of cocaine and cannabis were found together with pounds 9,000 cash.

Those arrested were later being held at Redditch, Kidderminster and Worcester police stations.

Det Chief Insp Kevin Purcell, of North Worcestershire Police, said: "This is the start of a week-long arrest phase which will target around 30 drug dealers and their profits.

"Redditch is like many other communities in having its drug dealers. Our aim is to disrupt the supply in the area and at the same time help to stem the violence and anti-social behaviour that these drugs can promote, particularly at night in and around the town centre.

"We are confident that our action is going to make a significant difference in terms of reducing the availability of cocaine in the Redditch area.

"This is an ongoing operation and further raids are planned in the next few weeks.

"It sends out a clear message to other dealers and users that we are constantly working to disrupt and ultimately stop the supply of drugs in our community."