Six people were arrested last night when police raided two Brighton homes said to be used by drug dealers.

Officers found syringes, stolen credit cards and £4,000 in cash during Operation Entry, in east Brighton.

Four people in a second-floor flat in Carlton Hill were held on suspicion of handling stolen goods, while two more were arrested in Findon Road, Whitehawk, over alleged immigration offences.

Inspector Rob Carden, leading the raids, said: "We are delighted we've been able to make these arrests. The idea is to target hot spots of crack cocaine and heroin dealing.

"If we do that, we can try to cut the weed of crime which grows around them."

Police first kicked in the door of the Carlton Hill flat, where boxes of used and new syringes were discovered.

Driving licences, wallets containing stolen credit cards and false ID cards were also found.

Three women, aged 18, 29 and 38, all from Brighton, and a 23-year-old man from London were held on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

The squad of 13 officers later broke down the door of the Findon Road flat, being raided for the second time, with a battering ram.

Dealers had carved a hatch in the side wall, through which to dispatch drugs.

Two Jamaican men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and the occupiers of the flat were evicted.

Both raids, bringing the East Brighton Division's total this year to almost 50, passed off peacefully.

But Mr Carden said: "It is not always the case. We've been confronted with guns and even an axe before. You never know what to expect.

"The people living nearby, especially kids, suffer the fallout from drug dealing. We will continue to search the premises for drugs and stolen goods.

"We also need to find out where the cards came from so we can return them to their rightful owners.

"The message of Operation Entry is that drug dealers can't go on without fear. We want them all to know they are being targeted."