HOMES in Wrexham have been raided by police following an investigation into organised crime.

In total, 50 officers executed several warrants in the early hours of this morning, Monday.

The Leader joined one team of officers as they executed a warrant in Y Wern.

Upon arrival, officers were able to run straight into the property and begin their investigation because the door was left open.

Other strikes were carried out simultaneously at seven other addresses in and around the Caia Park area, including East Avenue, Hazel Grove, Wyndham Gardens, Hullah Lane, Portal Avenue and Tryweryn Place as well as a second property in Y Wern.

In total, five people were arrested during the initial strikes on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs.

Today’s arrests follow an investigation that has been over five months in the planning by North Wales Police’s serious and organised crime unit – named Operation Lancelot.

Speaking after the warrants were executed, acting inspector Steve Roberts said: “Today is the beginning of an operation to deal with an organised crime group based in Wrexham, Caia Park.

"It is an operation that has been going on for five and a half months, it has taken a great deal of police effort."

Heroin and crack cocaine were said to be the drugs of concern that this group are believed to be supplying locally.

He continued: "I would first of all like to say how grateful we are to the local community for the support and information they have given to assist us in dealing with this crime group.

"The organised crime group has been going on for some years, in and out of Wrexham in the main from Merseyside. The group is well established and has caused misery for many victims in the local community.

"Today is the beginning of the operation to dismantle that crime group."

He stressed that this group is not linked to a wider County Lines dealing - saying the group was run by local people for 'quite some years'.