Ref. 29447-66POLICE have yet more drug pushers in their sights, following a deluge of information from Advertiser readers.

The Swindon Drugs Hotline has been inundated with calls from people after we published police surveillance footage of dealers in action last week.

The pictures illustrate the kind of suspicious activity the police want reported to the phoneline.

In the last seven days, drug squad officers have taken 35 calls from people desperate to rid their communities of the menace of heroin and crack.

Readers have provided names, addresses and car registration numbers of street dealers who will now be investigated.

Calls are taken by undercover detectives who cannot reveal their identities for operational reasons.

One officer at the heart of the operation said: "We have had a lot of really good information about dealing right across the borough. Many people said they were calling because they realised what was happening in the photographs was taking place in their street. One caller said he had seen small packages wrapped in foil being exchanged for money.

"Many people aren't aware of how deals are done and the pictures of dealers spitting wraps of heroin from their mouths showed how they operate really well.

"I can't emphasis enough how vitally important this information is to us.

"Often it reinforces suspicions and means we can target dealers sooner.

"It can also tip the balance when we are applying for a search warrant from magistrates."

Just last week, a tip-off on the hotline confirmed suspicions about two premises in the town centre. Officers were able to obtain warrants to raid the addresses and seized 33 wraps of heroin with a street value of £700, plus £500 in cash.

Five suspects three women and two men aged between 25 and 35 were arrested.

They have been released on police bail while the drugs are examined at a laboratory.

The footage released last week was filmed during an undercover operation in May and June last year, which was planned with the help of information from the hotline.

Among those arrested were two gangs who played a major role in supplying Swindon with Class A drugs, which includes heroin. The dealers were jailed for between four and eight years, but police say criminal gangs from outside the area are eager to replace them.

Officers believe the hotline will play a major role in the fight to keep these dealers at bay.

The hotline number is 01793 528800.