POLICE made a record amount of heroin seizures in the Blackburn area last year as the town remained the killer drug capital of Lancashire.

Latest figures show there were 90 heroin seizures in Blackburn and Darwen over the last 12 months compared to 67 the previous year.

There were a total of 455 seizures of drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy, LSD and cocaine.

The area is second only to Blackpool - with 470 drug seizures last year - according to figures compiled before Lancashire Constabulary became six divisions.

But the number of seizures of heroin - labelled the killer drug - were higher in Blackburn and Darwen than anywhere else in the county.

Lancashire's overall number of seizures has increased by 10.71 per cent in the last year, with a massive 51 per cent increase in heroin. Rawtenstall's heroin seizures also saw a huge jump from six in 1995 to 17 in 1996/97.

The amount of heroin seized throughout Lancashire has also risen, with 665g confiscated in the 12 months to April 1997, compared to 652g in 1994.

Cocaine seizures have fallen during the same period, from 113g to 88g.

Chief Constable Pauline Clare said the drugs squad was playing an important role in clamping down on abuse as well as educating people on all drug issues.

She said: "Officers have targeted known heroin dealers with the result that the quantity of the drug confiscated has more than tripled."

Drug swoops in Lancashire in the last year included;

17 people arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Burnley.

2.5 tonnes of cannabis recovered from a yacht on the River Ribble.

£10,000 worth of heroin seized in Burnley as part of a major undercover operation.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith, who is leading the fight against drug crime in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, said heroin was proving to be an increasing problem.

He said: "There has been a noticeable increase in the number of heroin users and the amount of heroin available on the streets. Drug dealers will exploit areas where there is a market and there is a ready market in Blackburn."

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