An investigation months in the making led to a dramatic drugs raid in the Cotswolds.

Nearly £3,000 of suspected class a Drugs were recovered, and a man arrested on suspicion of supply offences during the operation on Tuesday morning.

It came following several months of gathering and developing intelligence around the supply of cocaine into the Cotswolds and Stroud areas.

Sergeant Craig Openshaw, of the Force Crime Operations team, said: “Due to our swift and professional operation we managed to recover a package thrown from the house and considerable evidence from within the property.

“Alongside the suspected drugs that were recovered there was some evidence that significant quantities of cocaine had passed through the address previously.

“These drugs were destined for our county’s streets and the money from them will have been funding the lifestyles of those coordinating it.

“We hope this sends out a clear message to criminals intent on illegal drug supply that there is no place for them here.

“My team and local policing teams across the county are doing work each day to detect drugs criminality. We will find you and we won’t stop until we’ve got you.”

Officers forced their way into the property, on the outskirts of Cirencester, shortly before 7am and in a coordinated operation officers were able to recover about an ounce of suspected cocaine and a quantity of cannabis, along with drugs parapehernalia.

Thousands of pounds of cash was seized as suspected evidence of drug dealing.

High value clothing and trainers were also seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act whole officers establish whether they were acquired through crime.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Evans, said: “This is an excellent example of how Gloucestershire Constabulary is meeting the PCC’s policing priorities to tackle serious and organised crime, and make Gloucestershire safer.

“Drugs do incredible harm to communities and individuals. Removing a substantial amount of cocaine from the streets of Gloucestershire is a very positive result, and enforces our message that Gloucestershire will stand tough in the fight against organised crime and the supply of illegal drugs.

“I commend the hard-working teams involved in this case and hope to see much more of this proactive policing over the coming months.

“The man arrested in connection with today’s warrant was detained on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and Class B drugs and possession of criminal property. He remains in custody at this time while enquiries continue."