DRUGS and guns were seized as armed police carried out raids in Weymouth.

Around 30 officers took part in an operation at UK Transport, Lovells Yard off Lynch Lane, yesterday and other units raided an address in Marshallsay Road, Chickerell.

Armed police, sniffer dogs and the force helicopter were all involved in the operation, which police said was targeting the supply of controlled drugs.

Five men have been arrested as part of the operation and are helping police with inquiries.

Detective Inspector Stewart Dipple, of Weymouth CID, said last night: “The investigation is in its early stages and I can confirm that searches at the addresses are still ongoing.

“I would like to reassure residents that armed officers were in attendance solely to make safe the firearms and that there is no suggestion that anyone was threatened at any stage.

“I would also like to stress that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“Any residents with any specific concerns should contact their Safer Neighbourhood Team.”

The police helicopter circled the Lynch Lane industrial estate yesterday as the raid got underway at around 11am.

It is believed that two men who run the UK Transport garage were taken away by police.

A man, who was working in Lynch Lane at the time of the raid, said: “I saw the police helicopter and the cars roll in. I couldn’t believe it.”

Officers examined vehicles in the packed forecourt of the garage, which is believed to have been operating for around three years.

One onlooker, who did not wish to be named, said: “It happened at about 11am, there were about 30 officers and I think some of them were armed. They were wearing all black. They had a sniffer dog, too.”

Another man, who did not wish to be named, said: “They must have been watching them for a while. You don’t just get all those officers and the helicopter and raid a place if you don’t think you’ll find something.”

The search lasted late in to the afternoon at the MOT station which carries out car and van repairs to customers in the motor vehicles repairs industry.

The family-run business also assists with breakdown recovery, classic car, van and tyre sales, light haulage, accident damage, insurance quotes and storage.

Police said a number of firearms and substances, believed to be cannabis, were discovered following searches at addresses in Mar-shallsay Road and Lynch Lane.

The arrested people are three men from Weymouth, two aged 35, one 36 and two men from Portland aged 28 and 52.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police in confidence on 101.