FOUR men have been arrested in connection with the supply of heroin on the streets of West Swindon following a targeted operation from police in the sector.

On Wednesday, three men from the West Swindon area, aged 19, 20 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of drug offences after their Renault Megane was stopped travelling along Great Western Way at 10am.

An amount of heroin with an estimated street value of around £5,000 was discovered nearby, which police believe had been ejected from the vehicle.

Acting on information from the public, West Swindon police descended on a multi-occupancy address on Deerhurst Way in Toothill early on Thursday afternoon.

Six officers in three units, including the dog handling team, swooped on the property at around 1.30pm.

Five officers attempted entry by the back gate, while one stood guard at the front door in case any of the residents attempted to flee.

The occupants opened the door, but attempted to lock it again when they realised what was happening. Police then forced entry and brought in sniffer dogs to conduct a thorough search of the house opposite Toothill Village Centre, but no drugs were found.

A 41-year-old man was arrested for drug related offences, and all four men are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

PC Tom Turner, beat manager for West Swindon, said the arrests had only been possible as the result of community intelligence, and urges anyone with further information to contact Wiltshire Police.

“Through recent intelligence between ourselves and the Dedicated Crime Team, we stopped a vehicle in Swindon coming back from out of county while they were travelling along Great Western Way,” he said.

“In that vehicle were three males who have since been arrested after up to £5,000 worth of heroin was discovered, which was believed to have been thrown from the vehicle.

“Those three males have now been bailed for various drug related offences.

“We have been looking at the supply of Class A drugs as a priority in the sector for some time now, and that has led to various warrants being executed, often with positive results.

“We are only as good as the intelligence we receive from the public, and we could not do the job we do without good community based intelligence. It is people in the street who see things and hear things out of the ordinary who come and tell us.”

In October, a 45-year-old man from Grange Park was arrested after almost £35,000 worth of cannabis was found in his house.

“Over the last two months we have had some successes in getting into the main supply of drugs in West Swindon,” added PC Turner.

“A male has now been charged over possession of £35,000 worth of cannabis, and has been referred to Crown Court.

“Two males have been stopped in their vehicle for the supply of cannabis and methadone, and are currently on bail as investigations are ongoing.

“Another male was arrested for an offence in the town centre last month, and a quantity of drugs was found in his house.

“There is always more work to be done, and we would ask anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”