Cannabis plants recovered in a Ribbleton home

Police have revealed a crackdown on drug dealers in the city has led to 16 arrests.

Five people have been charged by Lancashire Police as they launched Operation Mercury last week and have been raiding addresses across Preston to bust cannabis farms and get drugs off the city’s streets.

19 properties have been targeted by officers and 50 cannabis plants have been seized.

Inspector Gareth Willis, of Preston CID, said: “Operation Mercury has made progress with a number of arrests in addition to drug productions being disrupted.
“As well as the arrests and cannabis cultivations we have also seized £10,000 in cash and a quantity of Class A drugs.

“Tackling organised drug crime is a key priority of the constabulary and we will continue with maximum effort to focus on this type of criminality which blights many communities.”

Anyone can report suspected drug crime to the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.