DRUGS with an estimated street value of £40,000 have been seized during a raid.

The Class A drugs were discovered by police searching a house in Newchapel Road, Kidsgrove.

The search was carried out as part of an operation targeting addresses in North Staffordshire and Manchester.

As a result, seven people, aged 24 to 46, were arrested on Thursday under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

They were last night being held at the northern area custody facility, Etruria.

Detective Inspector Paul Clews said: "This is part of Staffordshire Police's ongoing effort to target organised criminals bringing drugs into Staffordshire's communities.

"Our communities tell us they want to see positive and robust action against drug dealers and the criminal activity and anti-social behaviour it attracts.

"Our message to dealers and criminals is simple – we are not going away and will continue working to rid communities of the scourge of drug dealing and the negative effect it has on families and neighbourhoods."