Officers searched the properties one after the other on April 22 under an operation code-named Allard. They arrested a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of possessing crack cocaine and gave another woman a formal warning for the possession of cannabis. The 28-year-old is on bail while further inquiries are carried out.

Customs and Excise officers are making further inquiries in relation to the seized cigarettes, and a smoke grenade and butterfly knife found during the raids have been destroyed.

Officers from Ilkeston's Safer Neighbourhood teams organised Operation Allard after receiving information from members of the public.

PC Martin Booth, from the Cotmanhay Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "We feel that Operation Allard has caused major disruption to the drug trade in the area and we plan to build on this success for the future."

The officer in charge of local policing in Ilkeston, Inspector Pete Szabo, said: "Operation Alard was organised as a result of community intelligence from local people, who are sick of criminals living within our communities and making a profit from unlawful behaviour that causes so much misery for others.

"I can understand that sometimes people may be frustrated when they pass on information and nothing appears to be done by the police.

Planning operations and warrants can take time and we try to ensure that when we do act, we maximise opportunities to secure evidence that will hopefully lead to a conviction.

"I want to personally thank everyone within the community who helped us and would encourage every other law-abiding person who wants to keep drug dealing and dealers out of our town to pass on information whenever they can. It might seem unimportant at the time, but it could be the last piece of a jigsaw that brings a drug dealer's world crashing down."

Anyone with information about suspected drug activity can contact the police locally on 0845 123 3333 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All information will be treated confidentially.