DRUGS squad officers arrested 18 people in a massive heroin swoop across the South early today. Detectives believe leading drug dealers are among the 11 men and seven women arrested in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Heroin, crack cocaine and amphetamines were seized in the raids, along with cash and suspected stolen property.

Police confirmed 20 search warrants had been executed at homes in the Southampton and Bournemouth areas.

Codenamed Operation Alpine, the swoop was a joint initiative between Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset police forces.

This morning's dawn raids fol-lowed lengthy undercover investigations into leading heroin dealers across the South.

Around 150 officers from the three forces were involved in the swoop.

It was co-ordinated by the western area drugs squad based at Hulse Road, Southampton.

Detective Inspector Bill Harrison, who headed the operation, said: "We believe we have taken out a number of leading drug suppliers on the South Coast."

Estimated street values of the drugs seized were still being calculated by officers this morning. The men and women arrested today were aged between 25 and 40.

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