SPECIALIST Task Force officers used a chainsaw to slice open the front and back doors of another suspected drugs den on an estate troubled by the illegal substance trade.

A 44-year-old woman and two men, aged 23 and 17, were arrested at a property on the Westlands, Droitwich, for possession with intent to supply, after class A drugs were found.

The raid, at a Fortis-owned house on Farriers Corner, took place just after sunrise at 7.30am on Wednesday, November 22.

Once the doors had been removed, almost 20 officers, including the Task Force unit and local police, led by Droitwich Police Sergeant Sarah Kent and PC Rich Rees, made their way inside.

Warwickshire Police sniffer dog Regan found a quantity of what is believed to be crack cocaine.

The warrant, and another which covered the suspects’ black Skoda Fabia car, came as a result of information from the public.

The raid is the second carried out in just eight days on the estate, with a closure order having been granted on a property on Shepherds Place following a raid last Tuesday (November 14).

A man, aged 27, and a 24-year-old woman were arrested at that property after a quantity of cannabis was found, before being released the following day under investigation.

PC Rees, of Droitwich Town West and Rural West policing team, is part of a larger project to rid the estate of illegal substances.

Many of the estate’s dealers are suspected of having links to gangs using established supply lines to bring drugs into the county from elsewhere.

Inspector Gareth Morgan, who has recently taken command of the Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood team, said: "Another successful drugs warrant has been executed today.

"A quantity of what is believed to be class A drugs was seized from an address on Farriers Corner, Droitwich. 

"The message from the Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team team is simple: if you are dealing drugs in Droitwich or allowing drugs to be dealt from your property you can expect a visit from our team in the not too distant future."

He went on to say: "The implications of getting caught drug dealing are huge.

"As well as any criminal prosecution which might result, police will also now consider using new legislation to close the address down. 

"We also work closely with our local housing association and they don’t  tolerate drug dealings in their properties either, so the reality is that if you are caught, you are likely to lose your home as well."

Inspector Morgan reassured residents of the town that despite the focus on combating drug dealing, "we need to put things into perspective".

"Droitwich is a safe and lovely place to life," he said.

"It is only a small minority who are involved in this type of crime and with the help of the local community we are making significant inroads in disrupting drug activity locally," he added.