Police carried out a series of drugs raids today on ten addresses in the Bradford district.

Eighty officers were involved in Operation Soho - one of the largest operations carried out by police in the Toller Lane division.

A police chief said after the operation that the raids had been "a great success".

The raids - which took place simultaneously at about 8am - follow a 12-month inquiry, which included undercover surveillance, into street dealing of crack cocaine outside a bookmakers shop in Lumb Lane, Manningham.

Police raided addresses in Wibsey, Shipley, West Bowling, Idle, Barkerend, Girlington and Chapeltown, Leeds.

They seized a quantity of drugs believed to be crack cocaine and cannabis.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Doherty, who was in charge of the operation, said: "In the short term we will have reduced the amount of drugs available in Lumb Lane. It will have a drastic affect on that area.

"My message to drug dealers working in the Toller Lane division is that we have a large drugs unit and if people sell illegal substances we will catch them.

"I'm pleased with the way it went today and that so many suspects were arrested."

Officers from Toller Lane's drugs unit, CID and West Yorkshire Police's operational support unit took part. Police dogs were also on standby to help search properties for drugs, and officers rammed doors to get into the houses.

Det Chief Insp Doherty said: "On Saturday I was called to an address in Girlington. An 18-year-old man had died from a suspected drugs overdose.

"This highlights that drug dealers, who live in their nice homes with flash cars and who don't work, kill people. Drug dealers are peddling in death."

Anyone with information about drug dealing can contact, in confidence, Toller Lane police on Bradford 376278 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Eight people - six men and two women - were arrested in connection with today's raids. Police were making further inquiries and more arrests are expected to be made.

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