DURING what police describe as the biggest ever UK law enforcement operation, houses in Haselmere and Midhurst were searched and cocaine and £260,000 in cash was found.

Until now details have been withheld of the ongoing Operation Venetic involving every police force in the UK, targeting serious and organised crime.

A police spokesman said: ”On May 4 search warrants were executed in Haslemere in Surrey and Midhurst in Sussex.

“During the raids, half a kilo of cocaine was seized and more than £260,000 cash was seized.

“A 38-year-old man from Guildford was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs and money laundering offences. He has been released under investigation”.

Across Surrey and Sussex police have so far searched 14 addresses, seized six kilos of illicit drugs including heroin and cocaine, plus £323,000 cash.

“Officers have made five arrests; all those arrested have been released but are subject of further enquiries.”

The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) and forces across the region have carried out a series of local operations as part of Venetic.

Nationally, Operation Venetic, co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency, has seen 746 people arrested, and £54m, guns and drugs have been recovered.