Two men living in a former police station have described the dramatic moment when officers burst into their home to find class A drugs.
The city south Operation Reacher team carried out the warrant on a property in Sneinton Hermitage, Sneinton on January 20, after acting on intelligence that drugs activity was taking place.
The force reported that a large amount of heroin and crack cocaine was found in individual bags ready to be sold, as well as smaller quantities of Black Mamba and some unidentified tablets.
Officers also recovered cash, a number of mobile phones and some electronic scales during the search at the shared property.
All of the items seized were hidden within the house, with forensic inquiries currently taking place to identify who they belong to, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed.
Talking about the moment police raided his property, one of the occupants said: "They came in at around 2pm in the afternoon and searched everything.
"It was about seven or eight of them.
"They told us to hold our genitals to show them that we are not hiding any drugs."
The occupants, all aged between 50 and 60-year-old, also confirmed that they were handed an eviction notice - adding that they "have nowhere to go".
It is understood that there are currently four people living in separate rooms at the property that reportedly used to be a police station.
Another man, who said he was in bed when police burst into the property, added: "I think it is quite funny that they raided the building because it used to be a police station - it is quite hilarious really."
He added: "I also have cancer and I just do not feel well.
"Police told me to squat after telling them that I did not feel well.
"We received an eviction order, but I am not leaving.
"We have got nowhere to go."
He also said that he had his phone and £300 taken by the officers.
Other neighbours in the area have told of their surprise after the incident.
River Blackwood, who has recently moved to her current home on Sneinton Hermitage, said: "It happens more than people think it does.
"Sneinton is quite notorious for that."
The 29-year-old, who works in security, added: "I am not too concerned as long as no one is hurt.
"I would say that I am a bit surprised that they found class A drugs."
Councillor David Mellen, who has represented Dales Ward for the past 12 years and is also Leader of Nottingham City Council, added: "I am pleased that the police are taking note of concerns that members of the public have over drug use and drug dealing in Sneinton.
"Unfortunately, it's a factor in quite a few areas that this is going on.
"Obviously, it's not something that makes people in our community feel safe."
Asked if he was made aware of issues related to drug dealing in the area in the past, Cllr Mellen added: "It's something that people fairly regularly comment on.
"Clearly the action taken earlier was a result of people taking notice of the information that's been given to them - but it is a worldwide problem.
"Unfortunately, there are people who are wanting to make a lot of money through getting drugs out to members of the community, and suddenly wrecking lives by people getting on to a dependency on drugs.
"And so anything that can be done to break up that kind of activities is welcomed by me."
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