Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Police detain two in flat ‘drugs raid’
POLICE descended on two properties in Charleston to carry out suspected drug raids.
Plain-clothed police officers were seen “running” towards an address on South Road armed with a battering ram before entering a block of flats.
Eyewitnesses said two occupants of the block were later taken away by police during the operation yesterday afternoon.
Officers also raided a property on nearby Buttars Place around the same time.
A spokesman confirmed today that officers had executed drug search warrants.
However, he could not provide any further information on arrestes or items seized.
One witness, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals, said she saw as many as seven plain-clothed officers in the area.
She said: “I was just at my window when I saw a male officer carrying a battering ram.
“Officers were running towards a close just a few doors down from mine.
“I can’t say I was really surprised to see the police activity as there is always something happening around this area.
“The officers were certainly here for a bit.
“There must have been at least seven officers entering the address.
“There was no noise or sirens so it appeared there was an element of surprise to what they were doing.”
Another resident said two people were seen being taken away by officers just after 1pm.
He said: “I understand the police had to force a door open in the block.
“A person on crutches was taken away in a police vehicle.
“And another man was apprehended by officers afterwards.
“The other man who was detained looked to be resisting arrest before he was taken away in another unmarked vehicle.”
The raids came a few days after police confirmed they had arrested three people following the alleged recovery of more than £4,000 in cocaine from a city hotel.