Police are hailing a 10-day crackdown on drug dealers as a success.

Officers seized drugs, including amphetamine, cocaine and cannabis in a series of 18 raids between November 11 and 21 at addresses in Bishop's Stortford, Ware, Hertford, Hoddesdon and Stanstead Abbotts.

Detective Inspector Dave West, from East Herts CID, said: "Over the 10-day period we have made the people of East Herts more aware of the fact that we do take drugs issues extremely seriously.

"We have had some excellent results but we're not complacent and our commitment to tackling drug-related crime does not end here."

He added: "This type of crime will not be tolerated and we are continually increasing our efforts to target and arrest the suppliers of illegal substances."

The raids were carried out by officers from the East Herts Divisional Support Unit and East Herts Targeting Team.

During the campaign, hundreds of leaflets offering drug-related information were handed out at police stations throughout the division and to young people visiting local pubs and clubs.

Details of support groups together with general information have been given to anyone arrested for drug-related offences.

A series of roadshows was also held in the main towns of the district, including Bishop's Stortford and officers received vital information relating to local drug offences.

Det Insp West added: "The information we received varied from the names of people who members of the public believed were dealing drugs, through to the whereabouts of people who are wanted by police.

"We were very pleased at how well the roadshows were received. As we expected there are lots of people out there with information but unless someone actually gives them the opportunity to speak about it, they don't come forward."

One Bishop's Stortford man and two Hoddesdon men have been jointly charged with possessing cannabis. They are due to appear at Cheshunt Magistrates Court on January 14.

A further four men were released on police bail for alleged drug-related offences during the 10-day swoop.

And East Herts Police's separate initiative with the Metropolitan Police -- Operation Crackdown -- which was staged on Saturday, 1 November resulted in a Ware man being charged with possession of a Class B drug.

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