GWENT had the largest increase in the number of drugs seized by police compared to other Welsh police forces last year.

According to the latest figures released by the Home Office last month, Gwent Police seized more drugs last year than the year before, increasing its seizure rate by 14 per cent.

It seized a total of 2,302 controlled drugs in 2008/09 which was made up of 327 class A drugs, 2,030 class B and 29 class C.

This was compared to a total of 2,020 controlled drugs seized in 2007/08.

As a seizure can involve more than one drug, figures for individual drugs cannot be added together to produce totals.

Gwent Police seized just over 4kg of class A drugs and more than 7,000 cannabis plants last year.

It also seized 275 amphetamines which is the highest rate out of all Welsh police forces for this type of drug.

Conservative AM for South Wales East, William Graham, said the figures were alarming especially as the number of drug seizures across the whole of Wales was the highest it has been in ten years.

But he said they also show the effectiveness of the police in detecting those involved.

Mr Graham said the figures demonstrate a need to continue educating young people about the consequences of drug taking.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said they were pleased their relentless focus on tackling the supply and distribution of illegal drugs has led to a marked increase in the number of drug seizures in Gwent.

She said the media has regularly reported incidents where officers have located cannabis factories which prevents these drugs getting into communities.

She said disrupting the supply and use of drugs remain a priority for 2009/10.