THREE men were arrested today on suspicion of laundering the profits of drug dealing, following the biggest ever heroin seizure in Blackburn.

The Blackburn homes of those arrested, one of whom is aged 77, were swooped on by 24 officers from the town's targeted crime team this morning.

It followed on from the discovery at a home in Swallow Close, Blackburn, in January of one-and-a-half kilos of heroin worth £120,000 -- thought to be the biggest ever drugs seizure in the town.

Police today said that during the search of Swallow Close, they found documents which prompted them to launch the money laundering investigation.

They have not revealed the amount of money in question, but it is believed to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The three men were today detained at Greenbank police station, Whitebirk, and were being questioned by detectives.

Examinations were also being conducted on items retrieved from the two addresses.

Ayub Khansia, 45, of Tintern Crescent, Blackburn, and Siraz Valli, 30, of Swallow Drive, Blackburn, were charged in January with possession with intent to supply in connection with the heroin find. They will appear before Preston Crown Court on June 23.