DRUGS with a street value of £40,000, a Samurai sword and Lynx Africa gift set boxes were seized as police swooped on a house in Eldene.

The raid on the Bowleymead house followed problems with drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in east Swindon. The issues are believed to be linked to a home-grown gang aping the techniques of the County Lines drug gangsters.

Five people were arrested. Police put the value of the cocaine, heroin and cannabis at around £40,000. A large number of items suspected of having been stolen were also seized by officers.

Pictures shared by police to social media showed the £1,500 haul. It included three wholesale boxes of gummy sweet Haribo, two boxes of Cadbury Freddo chocolates, Christmas lights, eight gift boxes of Lynx Africa deodorant, four Fortnite figurine toys and an electric toothbrush.

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The suspected stolen goods Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

PCSO Phil Day, Wiltshire Police’s community coordinator for east Swindon, said: “Eldene has experienced the impact of local drug dealing and the associated anti-social behaviour for some time. This has been something that Swindon officers have been working hard to target.

“We hope that this result will reassure the community that we continue to target this matter.

“We cannot be successful without the ongoing support from local residents and partner agencies.

“We continue to urge the community to report any suspicious activity or concerns from within the Eldene area, and indeed anywhere across Swindon via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police dogs and officers from the specialist community tasking team joined local officers on the Wednesday night raid.

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The weapons found by police Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Three children were inside the house at the time with the raid.

A package was seen being thrown from a window. When it was recovered it was found to contain a large quantity of what police believe to be class A drugs. Knives and a Samurai sword were also found in the house.

Two women, aged 33 and 46, and three men, aged 17, 18, and 19, all from the local area, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Sgt David Tippetts said: “The seizures and arrests from this warrant are testament to the hard work that has gone into the ongoing issue of drugs supply and associated crime in Eldene."

Police will tomorrow ask magistrates for a closure order banning anyone but the tenant and those working for the emergency services from entering the Bowleymead house.