Dozens of police officers have been combing a Bradford pool hall after more than 20 men were arrested in a major investigation into drugs and firearms offences.

Police swooped on the Trick Shot premises in Willowfield Street, Lidget Green, and arrested 22 men.

All remained in custody for questioning yesterday following the raid on Thursday night.

Senior officers and a police spokesman were keeping tight-lipped yesterday about the extent of the operation or what had been found.

And they were unable to say whether the high-profile raid had any connection with the ongoing Operation Lapworth investigation into alleged guns importation to Bradford from America.

A number of arrests were made a week ago during the execution of warrants in Bradford, Leeds and Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

The joint operation by West Yorkshire Police, the serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) was supported by the American Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Five men from Bradford, aged between 32 and 23, have appeared in Court, charged with conspiracy to import prohibited weapons, and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.

A spokesman said about the latest raid: “As part of an investigation in relation to drugs and firearms, police undertook a search at the Trick Shot pool hall in Willowfield Street, Bradford. Twenty-two men were arrested at the pool hall and are currently in custody and inquiries are ongoing.”

The spokesman said it was not clear if there was a connection with Operation Lapworth, and could not say whether any drugs or firearms had been recovered from the premises.

Yesterday, there were between ten and 12 police vehicles at the scene, including dog vans and forensic scientific support teams. The pool hall and an adjoining car wash business were cordoned off while police carried out detailed examinations of the scene. Officers removed a number of bags of evidence from the scene.

Ten cars were parked on the forecourt of the pool hall behind a set of locked iron gates.

A grey Volkswagen Golf, parked in front of the pool hall with its doors and boot open, was being examined.

Chief Inspector Paul Hepworth, of Bradford South Police, said the police operation had included information from members of the local community.

He said: “If anyone has any information that can assist our investigations, they are asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Trick Shots is believed to have opened about five months ago in an old school building, which backs on to Princeville Primary School.

Detectives were carrying out door-to-door enquiries at homes and businesses next to the pool hall, including Poplar Court, a sheltered housing complex for elderly people.

Shopkeeper Mohammed Rizwan said the police had told him they had found drugs and guns. “It has not been open long. It is a bit of a shock,” he said.

Another witness, a 29-year-old man who did not wish to be named, said: “The police blocked the road off at about 6.45 until about half past seven and closed the car wash off. Then officers were in there last night and today. It looked like an armed response team was there.”

Another witness, who wished to stay anonymous, said he had been in Trick Shots 45 minutes before the raid.

“It was lucky I came out or they might have arrested me,” he said. “I live just around the corner and it is a good community, we have got a nice school and the kids have been using the pool hall. Now it's a crime scene.”

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