Police are continuing to question six East Lancashire men they arrested yesterday in an attempt to smash a drugs ring thought to span as far as northern Europe.

More than 200 officers swooped on addresses across the county yesterday in a series of co-ordinated early morning raids that stretched into Merseyside and to Belgium.

And despite not finding any illegal substances, police believe they have quashed the activities of an organised drug dealing gang that had been importing heroin and cocaine into the North West.

Detectives, accompanied by search and entry trained officers, specialist firearms officers and dog handlers, raided 22 addresses at 5.30am yesterday.

Along with properties in Lancaster and Anfield, they targeted addresses in West Crescent, Sharples Street and Plowtalgh Lane, Accrington, Roegreave Road and Catlow Hall Street in Oswaldtwistle and the Whinney Hill caravan park in Altham.

A further two men, who were not under the initial police surveillance, were arrested later for possession of a controlled substance following a search of a house in Glebe Street, Great Harwood.

Police arrested a total of 16 people, currently being questioned by police.

The Operation Medlar raids were carried out after several months of community-based intelligence work as part of a joint investigation by Lancashire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Unit and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.

Lancashire's Assistant Chief Constable, Mike Cunningham said: "This will have a significant impact on the supply and distribution of Class A drugs in Lancashire.

"This operation will demonstrate our commitment to arresting drug dealers and bringing them to justice."

A number of firearms, including shotguns and a hand gun, were recovered in the raids and a large quantity of cash was discovered.

RSPCA staff were called to a farm on Plowtalgh Lane after 20 horses were discovered.

The animals were checked but no offences had been committed.

Katherine Hamblin, RSPCA inspector for North Manchester, said the horses would be monitored: "They are all in reasonable bodily condition."

Accrington and Oswaldtwistle were also targets of the Operation Nimrod police drugs raids carried out last year.

But Mr Cunningham said the area was not blighted by drug abuse.

He added: "Drugs, whether supply or use, are a real problem in many towns but I wouldn't single Accrington out as an area with a particular problem."

Community leaders have praised the actions of the police.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe, whose St Andrews ward covers Catlow Hall Street, said: "I am shocked to hear that this is happening in our midst but it is important that we keep fighting the war against drugs."

MP Greg Pope added: "I think everyone will be pleased to see the police cracking down on drug dealers.

"They don't just ruin the lives of those who use the drugs, but also users' friends and families and people who live in their neighbourhoods."