DRUGS with a street value of around a third of a million pounds were seized by police in Preston's biggest-ever raid.

More than 100 kilos of cannabis bush were uncovered at a disused office in Garstang Road, Fulwood, following a six-month intelligence-led operation which culminated in the seizure on Thursday (June 12).

Superintendent Brian Newsham, who led the raid, said: "The police want to make sure everyone knows that drug dealing is totally unacceptable."

He said the operation was a joint effort between Preston police and a team from Lancashire Constabulary's Major Crime Unit, which he described as: 'a powerful combination'.

And the county's head of operations Assistant Chief Constable John Vine put out a warning to drug dealers: "We've made it quite clear that we will not tolerate drugs being supplied in the county," he said.

"We're targeting known dealers and this particular operation typifies the sort of proactive policing people can expect."

He added that inquiries were continuing into the huge find.

Mohammed Ilyas Zoman, 24, from Oldham, appeared before Preston Magistrates on Monday (June 16) and was remanded in custody for a week.

He was charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.