DRUGS with a street value of almost £5 million were seized and nine men arrested during one of the largest drug seizures in the past year.

Officers from the Warwickshire and West Mercia’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit intercepted more than 400kg of Class A and Class B drugs and the arrests were made at a lock-up industrial unit in Newent, near Ledbury, at about 5pm on Thursday.

The haul included 380kg of skunk cannabis bush with a street value of about £4 million, 54kg of amphetamines worth about £500,000 and 10kg of what is believed to be MDMA (ecstasy) crystals.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Loader, who led the operation, said: “We don’t know exactly where the drugs were destined for but the seizure and arrests again underlines our commitment to stem the opportunities for organised crime involving the illegal drugs trade to take root in our local communities.”

All nine men, aged between 21 and 55, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to import and supply drugs. Some have been given bail to allow further police inquiries and others remain in custody.

Those detained are from Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Merseyside and Buckinghamshire.

The forces were supported by colleagues from Gloucestershire Police, as well as liaising with several other forces around the country and more than 40 officers were involved in the operation.

DCI Loader added: “Police operations against people importing and supplying illegal drugs into local communities, often rely on information supplied by the public.

“We can piece snippets of information together to create a picture of what is happening and once we have sufficient evidence, we will take action to disrupt the flow of drugs into Warwickshire and West Mercia.

“The public can play a big part in assisting us to keep drugs off the streets, thereby helping to keep our local communities that much safer.”