DRUGS squad police officers battered their way into homes and arrested suspected drug dealers in a series of early morning raids in Leigh.

Following an intelligence-based operation investigating the supply of heroin in the Leigh area, police made lightning-fast dawn raids on Wednesday at addresses in Leigh town centre and on Plank Lane housing estate.

Several people were arrested and taken to Leigh police station. A quantity of drugs, believed to be heroin was recovered from the properties.

Speaking shortly after the swoop Detective Inspector Steve Nolan of Leigh CID said: "This operation will have a significant short-term effect on the supply of heroin in the Leigh area.

"In line with current policy, the police support drug rehabilitation programmes and enforce the law as it stands.

"People who deal in drugs must understand the gravity of their crimes and those addicted need to take immediate advantage of the support services which exist for them."