“Breach!” shouted police as they burst into a house in Felixstowe.

A power-saw and a battering ram, also called ‘the big blue key’, had just been used to smash through the door by an armed response officer. 

The raid was taking place after Suffolk police had secured a Section 23 drugs warrant to enter the property to look for evidence of dealing or using illegal drugs.

Warrants like this are not executed lightly and a magistrate’s approval is required for each one.

It was among the activities carried out by Suffolk officers during county lines intensification week which saw 40 arrests and the recovery of three knives and six imitation fire arms. 

The week also focused on reducing child exploitation, particularly child criminal exploitation associated with county lines.

During March 4 to 10, 11 people were charged with a variety of offences.

At the address in Felixstowe,  we watched as officers carried out their investigation. 

Police confirmed that no arrests were made, but intelligence gathered, while drugs were seized.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

East Anglian Daily Times: Inspector Ben Richardson. Inspector Ben Richardson. (Image: Newsquest)

Inspector Ben Richards said:  “During the week the southern county policing command undertook a series of dynamic enforcements and proactive engagement activities targeting county lines drug dealing.

"Alongside search warrants, which have been generated through intelligence, the team has conducted multiple patrols in drug dealing hotspots alongside our partners in the Ipswich Borough Council Community Safety Team.

"Weapons sweeps of public open spaces and events within further educational establishments have allowed us to meet and engage with hundreds of people during this week and provide advice to the most vulnerable within our communities.

"County lines drug dealing remains present in the southern area and we encourage the public to keep reporting through the Suffolk police website or via Crimestoppers.”

The force also made five referrals to those concerned over being people exploited due to county lines and carried out multiple checks to those that could be "cuckooed".

During these checks the identification of a suspected active county line was found with two arrests made.

Officers were also able to reach 2,862 young people and 358 adults through a series of pop up community events, school and business visits. 

Chief Inspector Matt Bodmer said: “We have come together again as one team in Suffolk to protect those most vulnerable and disrupt those who decide to deal drugs on the streets of Suffolk.

“What has been key to the successful week has been the opportunities to visit those who are vulnerable to being exploited by drug dealers but also educate communities around what signs to look for and how to raise concerns with Police and Partners.

“The arrests, warrants and searches have been focused on key individuals that intelligence suggests are bringing this type of criminality to the neighbourhoods in Suffolk, affecting communities and placing extra demands on services.

“The results demonstrate the positive approach we are taking to make Suffolk a hostile place for those linked to county lines to operate in.

“County lines remain a focus for police and in Suffolk we have seen successes in disrupting lines with our considered, holistic approach.

I would like to thank our partners, communities and local media who support Suffolk Police in disrupting this criminality.”