LANCASHIRE police have arrested four men in connection with a major investigation into alleged drugs supply following a series of coordinated raids across the country.

Around 50 officers were deployed yesterday morning as officers executed warrants in Lancaster, Penrith, Rochdale and London.

Officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit led the operation with the support of Cumbria Constabulary, Greater Manchester Police and Metropolitan Police.

Warrants were executed at addresses on Balmoral Road and Bowerham Road in Lancaster, Milner Mount in Penrith, Delamere Road and Buxton Crescent in Rochdale and Russell Court in Surbiton, Greater London.

A 45 year old man from Lancaster, a 35 year old man from Penrith, a 46 year old man from Rochdale and a 32 year old man from London have all been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Detective Inspector Steve Kidd, from Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “We have been targeting members of an alleged organised crime group in relation to suspected drug importation and supply within local communities and beyond.

“The arrests are the result of an intelligence led operation and today’s action forms part of a wider strategy to combat serious and organised crime in Lancashire and elsewhere.”