FOUR people were arrested and a haul of cannabis plants seized when police raided three houses in the same street in York.

Police officers and PCSOs swooped on Bramham Grove, in Chapelfields, shortly after 8am yesterday to execute the warrants.

On bursting into one house, officers found 20 cannabis plants growing in a loft, as well as a haul of drug paraphernalia.

A 29-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were later led from the property after being arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis. They were taken into police custody.

Officers who stormed two other properties on the terraced street brought out another two suspects.

In one property, police arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis after cannabis plants and drug paraphernalia were discovered in an outbuilding.

Following a search of the second house a 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug after evidence of former cannabis growth was discovered.

Both men were taken into police custody.

Police carrying out the operation, which was co-ordinated by PC Jackie Allen of York West Safer Neighbourhood Team, were acting on intelligence supplied by the local community about drug dealing and stolen goods.

Sergeant Ed Noble, of the York West team, said after the arrests police carried out a painstaking fingertip search of each property.

He said: “I’m delighted with the success of the raids. It has been a great team effort together with help and understanding from the community. I think this will have a positive impact for York West.

“Today has all been about holding to account people who are dealing in drugs. We know that drugs are linked to do many types of crime; by taking out those the people who are supplying drugs we can also put a stop to other criminal offences such as petty crime, serious acquisitive crime and antisocial behaviour.

“Days of action like this are about sending a message to the community. We want to say to anyone who is concerned with the production and supply of drugs that it will not be tolerated.”

Sgt Noble asked anyone with information on drug dealing or any other crime to contact police.