POLICE carried out dawn raids on three houses in Brierfield yesterday.

A team of 20 officers swooped on the properties in Castle Street, Mansfield Crescent and Halifax Road from 6.34am after obtaining warrants.

Officers arrested a 20-year-old in Castle Street on suspicion of conspiracy to supply heroin.

A 24-year-old man was arrested in Mansfield Crescent on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin and a 28-year-old man was arrested in Halifax Road for suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.

All three men are said to be from Nelson.

Officers searched the property and seized a ‘small’ amount of cannabis but say that no other substances were found in the area.

Coun Mohammed Iqbal, who is a county councillor for Brierfield and Nelson North Division, said that the police intervention was ‘welcome’.

“This action and the on-going action from the police in Brierfield is very welcome.

“Drug dealing has been a problem in this area and the police and crime commissioner have pledged to focus on it and make it a priority and anything that they can do to make the area crime-free and a safe place to live is a great thing.

“Residents in this area can now feel more safe in the knowledge that the police are tackling these issues and they are relieved after today’s action.”

DCI Sion Hall, from East Division, said: “This morning's raids are part of our on-going commitment to taking drugs off our streets.

“The activities of drug dealers can have a dramatic effect on our communities and we are determined to tackle that.

“We need the public to continue to work with us to help us tackle drug crime by informing us of any suspicious activity.”