POLICE say they have seized hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illegal drugs in Ceredigion during the first three months of a crackdown, the Cambrian News can reveal.

A pilot initiative, running since August, aimed at “disrupting drug misuse” in the county has seen 17 arrests, with controlled drugs with an estimated street value of between £175,000 and £280,000 being seized.

The initiative has seen dedicated officers working alongside existing police teams in the county to clamp down on the problem.

The scheme follows a series of drug raids earlier this year in Aberystwyth and across the county targeting the supply and dealing of drugs.

Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Inspector Steve Davies, speaking to Aberystwyth town councillors last month said that drug misuse in Aberystwyth is a “recurring theme” for police in the town and that “work is ongoing” after a slew of arrests in the area following several targeted drugs raids aimed at dealers as part of Operation Ulysses, organised by the Serious and Organised Crime Team of Dyfed-Powys Police.

Thirty people were arrested or charged in connection with the operation earlier this year.

Police said they are “acutely aware” that taking dealers off the streets will “disrupt the supply” to drug users, and said the force is “working very closely” with partners “to ensure the appropriate support is available to them”.

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