Police smashed their way into a suspected drug dealer’s home in a bid to rattle an alleged organised crime network.

The window of the Kidlington semi-detached house was shattered shortly after 7am yesterday – the same time four Oxford addresses were also raided in the dawn operation.

Officers arrested nine people and seized an imitation gun, cash, and thousands of pounds worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis.

Det Insp Bruce Riddell, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), said the properties were all believed to be linked to an organised crime group.

He said the raids were about disrupting the group’s business and deterring people from crime.

He said: “You get people looking up to these people – they have nice houses and nice cars and they don’t work. But they fund it through drug dealing.

“Some of them will hopefully go to prison for a long time after some of these seizures.”

The property in Laburnum Crescent in Kidlington was searched for more than two hours and officers used a sniffer dog. A 23-year-old man was arrested and led out in handcuffs after suspected cocaine was found in a black BMW.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said a family with two young children had lived in the house for a “couple of years”, adding: “They are a nice couple.”

Searches in Oxford also discovered £7,000 worth of suspected cocaine and a small cannabis farm.

Seven people were last night in custody being questioned by detectives. A 32-year-old man was charged with possession of a Class B drug and a 59-year-old woman was released on bail.

The county raids were among 17 to take place across the Thames Valley as part of Operation Raglan. Fifteen people were arrested with about £35,000 in cash seized. The warrants were executed under the Police and Criminal Evidence and Misuse of Drugs Acts.

Supt Jim O’Ryan, superintendent for operations for Thames Valley and Hampshire, said the operation aimed to “deprive criminals of the proceeds of the criminal activity”.

Det Supt David Poole, head of the SOCU, said: “The clear message this operation sends to criminals is not to commit crime or we will arrest you and take your cash.

“Operations such as this need intelligence and information from our communities and I would like to thank those who have supplied information.”

THE DETAILS

  • Laburnum Crescent, Kidlington: A 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug after suspected cocaine found.
  •  Cranley Road, Barton, Oxford: Two men, aged 26 and 46, arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs. A search found an imitation firearm, 16 wraps of suspected cocaine, and a bag of suspected cannabis.
  •  Waynflete Road, Barton, Oxford: A woman and a man, both 59, arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and money laundering. Suspected cocaine worth about £7,000 found.
  • Wentworth Road, Cutteslowe, Oxford: A 59-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply after a cannabis farm, cannabis, and cash were discovered. The woman was released on bail until July 26. Another 23-year-old was later arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply.
  • John Snow Place, Headington, Oxford: Carl Harris, 32, charged with possession of a Class B drug. Bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on August 9.