Police raids uncover drugs
7:59am Saturday 30th August 2008
Police found a drugs den crammed full of cocaine, heroin and ecstasy in a quiet Kennington cul-de-sac.
Officers spent much yesterday searching a two-bedroom house, which was raided on Thursday night.
One officer described finding "thousands and thousands of pounds" worth of class-A drugs.
Drugs seized included at least 3,000 ecstasy tablets and dozens of packages of cocaine, heroin, cannabis resin and herbal cannabis.
A machete was also found.
The street value of the drugs could be as much as £20,000.
Shocked neighbours in River View said they had never even seen a policeman in the cul-de-sac before the raid.
Police did not have to force entry and were surprised at the amount of drugs found inside.
In a statement, Sgt Sean Delaney, of Abingdon police, said: "Police officers carried out a warrant at 9pm at a property in Kennington.
"A significant amount of drugs - what is believed to be thousands of pounds worth - has been found and officers to continue to search the property.
"I would like to reassure residents that such criminality will not be tolerated in the Vale and we are dedicated to catching and convicting criminals who choose to supply drugs to the more vulnerable in our community."
A 25-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, both from River View, were arrested on suspicion of possession of class-A drugs with intent to supply and were in police custody.
Peter Biggs, chairman of Kennington Parish Council, said: "I'm astounded. But these days people do that kind of thing everywhere and not just in the deepest darkest back streets of cities.
"There's money to be made so people will do it anywhere.
"But well done to the police for finding it."
Neighbours said a couple moved into the house about 18 months ago.
They did not socialise with their neighbours and one resident described them as "mysterious".
Neighbour Iris Wright, 83, said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked.
"You hear about these drugs in other places, but this is a clean-living place and a nice area."
A further 500 ecstasy tablets were discovered by police at a house in Littlehay Road, Oxford - just yards from Cowley police station - following a raid at about 7.30am yesterday.
The two raids are not believed to be linked.
In May, police found an estimated £30,000 worth of cocaine at a flat in Gibbs Crescent, West Oxford, which is believed to be the largest single drugs seizure in the city.
Anyone with information on drug dealing or cultivation should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.