14 arrested and cars seized in Newport dawn drug raids

Police seized items, including cars, during the dawn raids

Police have confirmed another arrest after dawn drug raids across Newport, taking the total in custody to 14.

Gwent Police said officers had seized a number of "high-value" items during the raids, including Class A drugs, cash and cars.

About 120 police took part in the raids at 11 properties across Newport on Thursday morning.

They were in the Maindee, Alway and Liswerry areas of the city.

'Meticulously planned'

The raids led to 10 men and two women being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs.

The additional arrest is a 25-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Police had already said a 23-year-old man was being held on the same charge.

They remain in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

The "meticulously planned" raids aimed to "dismantle" the supply of drugs across the Newport area, according to Supt Ian Roberts, divisional commander for Newport and Monmouthshire.

He said: "This was part of Operation Finch, which is the result of many months of meticulous investigation and planning to get to this stage, dismantling and disrupting the organised supply of drugs in the Newport area.

"I trust that this will send a very clear message to people involved in this activity - we will catch you, we will arrest you, we will seize your assets and bring you to justice."