HEROIN and cannabis resin were seized during a police raid on six addresses in Lancaster.

A convoy of six armed vehicles, three police dogs and several patrol cars made a simultaneous lunchtime swoop at the addresses.

Acting on intelligence, Insp Peter Davies led the specialists to the estate to execute a drugs warrant - and as a result, eight men were arrested.

Five have been cautioned, one has been bailed pending forensic examination of material at his home and two released without charge.

The raid came after officers from across North Lancashire met up unaware of the task that lay ahead of them.

In briefing the team, Insp Davies told the 'troops' that he was aware that drugs were being brought from Merseyside onto the Ryelands estate and he wanted to crack down.

"This operation is not about finding a large quantity of drugs but to reassure the public and take out middle level dealers," he said.

Officers in protective clothing were briefed about the occupants of the houses before ramming down the doors.

After the raids, community beat managers and police community safety officers made their way around Ryelands handing out leaflets informing residents of what had happened and how to contact police with further information.

Insp Davies stressed that the targeting of Ryelands did not mean that it had more problems than other areas and estates.

"The majority of people on the estate are decent people and it is a small minority that make it problematic," he says.

"We aim to remove the few that are dealing drugs and reassure the many that they are not on their own and that police will do what they have to do to get rid of this activity."