POLICE carried out a series of raids on alleged drug dealers in the Three Towns last Friday – with the Herald by their side.

Around 40 extra officers were drafted in as part of Operation Monarda, which saw doors broken down under warrant to tackle the local drug problem.

Officers also carried out vehicle checks as part of an initiative to highlight the work they do to keep residents safe.

A string of arrests were made during the operation.  They included the recovery of alleged class A drugs in Stevenston with the help of a police sniffer dog, while two people were reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly cultivating a class B drug in the town.

Herald reporters were there to witness the officers at work.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.