POLICE have stormed 18 properties in Reading this morning (March 3) in a major drugs bust tackling organised crime.

A 'significant' amount of cash, drugs, weapons, and other items have been seized and 20 people have been arrested.

It comes as part of a major eight-month Thames Valley Police investigation supported by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) and the Home Office.

Police raided the 18 Reading sites, as well as a further seven properties across Blackburn, Sunderland, Birmingham, and London.

The operation focused of organised crime, including the importation of class A drugs and class B drugs, money laundering, modern slavery, and human trafficking.

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Detective Inspector Natalie Hall, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Thames Valley Police officers have been supported by the NCA, SEROCU and the Home Office this morning in order to carry out these warrants.

“This partnership working is vital in identifying and disrupting the most harmful individuals and organised crime groups in order to protect our communities.

“Tackling serious organised crime is a priority for Thames Valley Police, and we have dedicated Stronghold teams who focus on targeting those bringing drugs into our communities, and to cut off supply to those dealing locally."

Thames Valley Police said, so far, 20 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of various offences such as drug offences, including class A and class B production and distribution.

Detective Inspector Hall added: "Investigating this type of criminality can be complex and time-consuming and this particular operation has been a culmination of months of hard work by officers. Therefore, I am pleased that we have been able to carry out these warrants and make a number of arrests.

“Further, I hope that this serves as a warning to those in the community who are involved in the supply and distribution of drugs as well as the exploitation of people, that we know who you are, where you are and we are committed to bringing you to justice."

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Deputy director Andrea Wilson from the NCA said: “Today’s activity highlights just how seriously we are taking the threat from Western Balkan organised crime groups. They are involved in various forms of serious and organised criminality, including the trafficking and supply of class A drugs, organised immigration crime and corruption.

“Identifying and targeting these high harm networks requires a whole-system law enforcement approach, and anyone involved in widespread organised crime should take notice that the NCA and partners will do all we can to disrupt their activity and ensure they face justice”. supply and distribution of drugs as well as the exploitation of people, that we know who you are, where you are and we are committed to bringing you to justice.