23 people have been arrested in drugs raids across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Nearly 200 officers raided houses in Crewe, Chester and Walton in Merseyside on Tuesday morning.

Police say they're targetting alleged dealers who they think have been selling heroin and crack cocaine.

As people were led away in handcuffs, support teams of specialist Police Officers and Police Staff moved into houses and flats to search the premises.  

Cheshire Police say Armed officers were at one of the addresses as a precautionary.

Chief Inspector Darren Hebden, Crime Manager for Cheshire Police Eastern Area said: “The aim of these arrests is to take out a drug dealing network which has built up in Crewe to distribute Class A drugs, mostly heroin and crack cocaine, which are brought in from Merseyside.  

“This is the culmination of many months of covert police work to identify the dealers and gather evidence against them.

"The search teams will bring out any drugs they find, together with equipment used to prepare drugs but the main purpose of this morning’s operation was to make arrests.

“People who have been taken into custody today will be processed and charged, either with conspiracy to supply Class A  Drugs, or with supplying Class A Drugs.

"They will appear before a special court tomorrow.

Anyone with information about drug dealing can call the Cheshire Police Information Line 0845 458 0000, or you can leave information anonymously on the Crimestoppers Line 0800 555 111.

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