Police swoop on suspected drugs gang members at Derbyshire M1 service station

Eight men, believed to be moving cocaine throughout Derbyshire and into Nottinghamshire, the West Midlands and Bedfordshire, were arrested in total.

A woman was also arrested in relation to drugs and money laundering offences.

Four of the men, aged 32, 37, 41 and 44, were detained at homes in Derby on Thursday, July 23.

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Two more men, aged 31 and 25, were arrested at properties in Luton.

A man and woman, aged 35 and 38, both from Derby, were arrested at Tibshelf Services on the M1.

A 40-year-old man was also arrested at HMP Nottingham.

Police have recovered quantities of both Class A and Class B controlled drugs and a substantial amount of cash following searches of the properties and vehicles.

All currently remain in custody for questioning on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Their arrests follow on from a coordinated police operation on Tuesday, July 21 when detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) - supported by uniformed officers from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and West Midlands police forces - conducted a number of warrants across the three counties and arrested eight men.

EMSOU Detective Inspector Tim Walters said: “I hope our efforts today – supported by colleagues from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire police forces – provide reassurance that we are doing all we can to root out those who seek to damage and cause harm to our communities.”

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