A suspected drugs pusher filled his mouth with wraps of crack cocaine as police smashed through his front door.

His cheeks were bulging and he could not answer police questions - until he swigged on a can of lager and swallowed.

The man was taken into custody and police alerted hospital staff in case he was taken ill.

Thirty more wraps of the drug were found in the basement flat in Prestonville Road, Brighton, during yesterday's raid. Eight were under a bed.

A second man in the flat was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

Police also discovered £500 in cash, suspected stolen credit cards and cannabis.

Neighbours in the Prestonville Road area were delighted and relieved.

One said: "I've got young children and I don't want them anywhere near this filthy trade. What the police are doing is great and I only hope the courts back them up and put dealers behind bars for a long time."

The Argus reported on Monday how Brighton and Hove was now the drugs capital of England and Wales.

Fifty one people died from drugs in 2003, almost one every week.

Inspector Steve Curry said drugs were causing untold misery and police were determined to track down the suppliers.

He said: "Take it from me, deal in drugs in this city and we will hunt you down.

"We have a co-ordinated, joint agency approach to combat the problems associated with drug use and the operations yesterday were the necessary enforcement part of the campaign."

Teams of police gathered early yesterday for a briefing on drug targets from Sergeant Rob Leet.

They included armed officers in case weapons were found, and a special shield which gives off a mild electric shock to any aggressive dog that greets officers.

Mr Leet warned officers a bull terrier had been seen at the Prestonville address but none was found.

He ordered suspects to be strip-searched in case they had hidden drugs on or in their bodies.

Mr Leet urged members of the public to call in with information about dealers on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.