DRUG dealers in Vale Royal have been warned there will be nowhere for them to hide following the success of Operation Clean Sweep.

Det Insp Andy Southcott is already capitalising on the progress made in the battle against pushers.

He said: "The operation we are planning this year will really impact on the drug scene. It will make it impossible to deal drugs in Vale Royal.

"I think that is what the public expects."

But Det Insp Southcott remains realistic about the current drug situation.

He said: "We know there are still dealers out there but we have taken out the core dealers. There has already been a significant reduction in acquisitive crime such as burglary and car crime."

Det Insp Southcott first identified that there was an open drugs market in January 2003 and proceeded to find funding for Operation Clean Sweep, which came from the Vale Royal Safety partnership.

The evidence-gathering phase started in June 2003.

A highly trained undercover officer infiltrated the drugs network and gained the trust of members of the group, providing the intelligence needed.

This information led to dawn raids last October and the conviction of 17 people in Chester Crown Court earlier this month.

The fight against drugs is ongoing and Det Insp Southcott wants to send out a clear message to dealers.

He said: "There is no place for you in Vale Royal."