A SUSPECTED drugs ring was targeted by police during a series of co-ordinated raids across Oxfordshire yesterday.

Tens of thousands of pounds of cannabis and cocaine is believed to have been seized in the 22 raids, which saw 17 people arrested.

More than 250 police officers swooped on 22 addresses, 20 of which were in Oxfordshire, discovering large quantities of drugs and cash.

Twelve men and five women were arrested on suspicion of various offences, including conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and money laundering.

Last night, police spokesman Rebecca Webber said the 5am raids were all linked and the operation had involved months of planning by the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

From villages to city suburbs and homes to businesses, addresses in Headington, Cowley and Blackbird Leys in Oxford, as well as Horspath, Bicester, Wheatley, Woodstock, Chalgrove, Yarnton and Wootton were searched.

Many had their doors smashed in by officers who forced entry into the buildings, combing the properties for evidence.

Chief Supt Brendan O’Dowda, in charge of policing in Oxfordshire, said: “The operation took an incredible amount of planning to pull together.”

He added: “It has been a good day for Oxfordshire.”

The value of the drugs is believed to be in the tens of thousands of pounds.

The men arrested were aged 45, 43, 46, 62, 49, 50, 28, 43, 42, 23, 42, and 30. The women were aged 28, 32, 38, 51 with one woman in her forties. All 17 were last night being questioned by police.

Last night residents gave their reaction to the raids.

Carmel Ryan, 44, lives in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys – a road where one of the raids took place. She said: “The raid didn’t surprise me. We had a drugs factory here a couple of years ago.”

Another raid took place in Old London Road, Wheatley.

Jim Reilly, chairman of Wheatley Parish Council and a former policeman, lives in the road. He said: “It is very quiet. I know most of the people who live here and I can’t imagine they would be involved in drugs.”

Det Supt David Poole, who led the operation, said: “We will take any action necessary to stop the supply of illegal and dangerous drugs.

“My message is: if you are involved in selling illegal drugs, we will be coming to get you next.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk