Police have raided 15 addresses across Gwent in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, June 11).
Twelve people were arrested in the raids, which were part of an operation to stop the supply of drugs.
More than 180 officers took part in the raids, which began at 4am and were part of Gwent Police’s Operation Jigsaw, which targets serious and organised crime.
Raids were carried out primarily across Caerphilly County Borough, with addresses in Rhymney, Hengoed, Nelson, Bargoed, Pontlottyn, Oakdale, Pontllanfraith and Newbridge all raided.
There were also raids carried out in Abertillery and Trelewis.
Class A drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin, were seized during the raids and will be sent away for forensic examination.
Chief Superintendent Mark Warrender said: “We want to disrupt and dismantle crime groups in Gwent.
“Operation Jigsaw has seen positive results over the years. We’ve been running the operation for about two or three years now.”
As well as drug-related crimes, Operation Jigsaw also deals with human trafficking and modern day slavery, high value fraud, cyber-crime and child sexual exploitation.
Supt Warrender said: “One thing we rely on is co-operation with the public. We would like to thank the public for their help during this operation.
“People have shown us their appreciation for carrying out these operations.
“My message to the public would be – bare with us, we do listen and we do act.”
Supt Warrender added: “This has taken several months of work, intelligence and planning. It takes a fair bit of organising.
“This activity is designed to disrupt the supply of drugs to vulnerable people and children – Young people can often be recruited into criminal networks.
“The ones causing the most harm are the suppliers. We’re hopeful that people will be charged.
“We do this activity on a regular basis to disrupt organised crime channels – and we’ll keep on doing it.”