VIDEO UPDATE: Seven Peterborough men remanded in custody and two bailed after appearing in court on drug charges

Police force entry to the house in Newark Avenue during a series of 10 drug related raids

Michael Flash, 34, of Lombardy Drive, Kevin Overall, 46, of Gransley Rise, Stephen Marriott, 39, of Thorolds Way, Castor, Darren Chambers, 45, of Heyford Close, and Imran Qureshi, 29 of Bishops Road, all appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Thursday, charged with conspiracy to supply controlled class A drugs. All were remanded in custody due to appear at Peterborough Crown Court on September 19.

Vickram Virdee, 28, of Tirrington, and Abdul Khan, 35, of Rokesby Place, Wembley, were also remanded in custody by the court charged with possession with intent to supply.

Two other men, Ijlaal Saeed, 25, of Newark Avenue, and Alvis Sturmanis, 34, of Star Road, have been released on conditional bail until their next court appearance after being charged with conspiracy to supply controlled class A drugs.

A 35-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man from Peterborough arrested during Wednesday’s raids on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs have been bailed to Thorpe Wood Police Station on August 22.

A 59-year-old woman arrested on the same charge has been bailed to Thorpe Wood Police Station on September 30.

An intelligence led operation to bring down a Class A drug ring dealing in cocaine began in February, resulting in warrants being carried out and doors kicked in at 10 addresses in central Peterborough, Whittlesey and Stanground yesterday.

Area Commander for Peterborough, Superintendent Mel Dales said: “Drugs are a key concern for communities across in Peterborough and today’s warrants should serve as reassurance as to how seriously we take the use and supply of illegal substances.

“We will continue to work with partners including ERSOU to address local concerns and I would urge people to continue to report suspicious behaviour.”

Raids took place in Bishops Road, Star Road, Padholme Road, Gransley Rose, Lombardy Drive, Newark Avenue, Heyford Close, Havelock Drive in Stanground and Coronation Avenue in Whittlesey. Searches were also carried out at a car garage in Fengate and City Motors in New Road.