David Wiles

Thousands of pounds worth of drugs were seized and 44 people arrested after police swoops on homes in Selby and elsewhere in North Yorkshire.

A significant number of stolen medical prescription forms were also discovered.

The raids, part of Operation Artery, took place across the county. Officers executed 40 warrants following extensive intelligence work.

The drugs seized included heroin, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine and methadone, and police estimate they were worth around £20,000.

They believe the stolen prescription forms were destined to be used in connection with drug abuse.

Officers raided properties in York, Selby, Malton, Harrogate, Northallerton and Ripon.

In York alone, 29 people were arrested after 20 warrants were executed.

Superintendent John Lacy, operations commander for the force's central area, said that many of the county drug scene's main players and suppliers had been targeted in the dawn raids.

He said officers had acted on "quality intelligence" that came from detectives working undercover and from members of the public.

"This operation was a great success for the force," said Supt Lacy.

"Cities can witness a spiral of decline if you do not tackle the misuse of drugs, and we are determined not to see that happen here.

"The Government and other agencies are pushing drugs education and rehabilitation, but enforcement of the law still has a major role to play."

News of the success of the operation comes less than a week after police announced that seizures of drugs in pubs and clubs in York had increased five-fold last year.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Walker said: "Operation Artery is all about tackling the drug problem by collating intelligence, identifying targets, gathering intelligence and executing warrants.

"The level of success we had quite clearly indicates how effective the policy can be."

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