Police listen to residents and move in on the drug dealers

COMPLAINTS from residents in west Leeds about drug dealing prompted a two-week police crackdown that saw 16 people arrested.

Operation Allport 3 saw officers search 17 addresses for drugs and a second operation by officers based at Pudsey saw 14 suspected dealers targeted over 14 days.

Police teams using information from local people searched 17 homes in the Bramley, Armley and Pudsey areas.

They seized more than 200- worth of Class A drugs, including heroin, and 100-worth of cannabis.

The value of plants recovered from two cannabis factories uncovered during the operation is still being estimated.

Two people have been charged with possession of heroin, six with possession of cannabis, two with cultivation of cannabis and one with possession of an offensive weapon.

Five others are currently on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply and making off without payment.

The initiative also saw the arrest of three people wanted by the courts for failing to appear at previous hearings and for breaching the terms of release from prison.

The operation came as a direct response to local residents’ concerns about drug dealing and drug use in their communities.

Sergeant Michelle Martin, of the West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This operation was designed to cause maximum disruption to people who think they can get away with blighting our communities by dealing drugs.

“We hope it has sent out a clear message to those involved in this type of crime and helped to reassure the people of these communities who regularly tell us they want to see the police doing more to target drugs issues in their areas.”

Sgt Martin said the police were pleased with the operation but knew they could not be complacent. They were determined to keep up pressure on the dealers and would repeat the initiative.

“Much of the information that was used as the basis for this operation was passed to us by local residents and we would urge them to keep that information coming.”

Police teams for the west of the city can be contacted on 0113 241 4888 and 0113 241 4999.