POLICE in Newport seized over £12,000 in heroin and crack cocaine following a six-week intensive operation targeting drug dealers on the Bettws estate.

Five people have been arrested and are on police bail following the operation, which was the culmination of an ongoing 'shop-a dealer' campaign.

All five are due to report back to the station in November. In the past month, police have been carrying out raids at addresses across the estate, making a number of significant seizures of drugs following surveillance operations on the estate.

During one raid carried out in September, police recovered quantities of what they believe to be heroin and crack cocaine with an estimated street value in excess of £12,000.

PC Eddie Evans, community liaison officer at Bettws, said: "People may be worried that if they give information about drug dealers, then they will have to give statements or give evidence in court, and may be afraid to do this.

"We give assurances that we will follow up any anonymous tip offs or information that the public give us.

"We are being given information every day by ordinary members of the public who want to see drug dealers off our estate."

l If you have any information on drug dealers contact Bettws police on 01633 245210.