A SENIOR police officer has said that Kingsbridge 'does not have a drug problem' after ­heroin and cannabis plants were found in two separate raids in the town.

On Sunday, December 28, police raided two properties, one in Montagu Close and the other at an unspecified location.

At Montagu Close police said a 'substantial amount' of heroin was discovered. Three people were arrested for possession of

a class-A drug with intent to ­supply.

They were subsequently bailed to return to Torquay police station in January.

At the other property police found a quantity of cannabis plants. One man was arrested for possession with intent to supply a controlled drug. As of Monday, December 29, he was being held at Torquay police ­station, but he too was likely to be bailed.

Inspector Adrian Leisk said: 'Acting on information from the local community, we searched two properties in Kingsbridge.

'In one we found a quantity of heroin and in the other we found cannabis plants being ­cultivated.

'For me, Kingsbridge does not have a drug problem. But like any town of 5,000 or so people, it does have individuals who have drug dependencies.

'We won't tolerate that, as it leads to acquisitive crime like theft and burglary.

'It's not a case of punishment, but when we're given this ­information we have a duty to act on it.

'From our point of view, we'd also like to take the opportunity to say to people that if they have problems with drugs, seek help from the NHS, or any of the other services that are available.'

Kingsbridge police used Facebook to give people news of the drug arrests, warning: 'Drug use and supply will not be ­tolerated in this town.'