TWELVE more people were arrested after a third consecutive day of police drugs raids in Dorset.

Officers detained 11 people in the west of the county following more Operation Dismantle raids yesterday.

Another man, 33, was arrested in Liverpool as part of the operation – aimed at stamping out the dealing of Class A drugs in Dorset.

Police executed further warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 at several addresses in Weymouth and Broadmayne yesterday.

Nine men – aged between 25 and 49 – and two women – aged 35 and 53 – were arrested following the latest raids.

All of the detained people were from the Weymouth area, a Dorset Police spokesman said.

Operation Dismantle – an intelligence-led initiative to remove suspected drug dealers in the county – began in earnest on Monday.

Officers targeted properties in Preston, Westham, Weymouth town centre and Portland.

Further addresses in Radipole, Southill, the Park District, Westham, Littlemoor and Wyke Regis were raided on Tuesday.

During Monday and Tuesday, a total of 17 people were arrested as part of the operation.

Sixteen have since been charged in relation to supplying Class A drugs, while one has been charged with handling stolen goods.

Yesterday’s arrests bring the total number detained by police during the operation so far to 29.

Dorset Police have said that the searches are part of a long and ongoing investigation into the trade of Class A drugs in the county.

The operation was being planned and prepared months ahead of the start of raids on Monday.

Witnesses and anyone with information on drug dealing in Dorset should contact police on 01305 222222.