POLICE wearing helmets and shields filed into a flat in an early morning raid.

Shouting and loud bangs could be heard after officers entered the property in Buckingham Road, Brighton, shortly before 7am.

A passerby said: “I turned the corner and saw a police van and two cars pull up silently into the street.

The Argus:

“A large group of officers wearing protective helmets, and carrying riot shields and batons, climbed out and lined up along the pavement.

“Two of them went ahead, walking up to the front door of a flat. One of them had what looked like a battering ram. 

“About ten or 15 of the other officers waited about 30 metres down the road. 

The Argus:

“Then, when the door was open, they all marched in single file.

“There were loud bangs and a lot of shouting coming from inside.

“You could hear officers screaming, ‘police’ and ‘get on the ground’.

“It was quite dramatic.

“While most of the officers were raiding the flat, two of them climbed a nearby fence and looked like they were checking the garden of the flat.” 

The Argus:

A dog unit and an unmarked police car also attended the scene.

Residents living in the road, including those in flats next door and upstairs, peered from their windows to try and find out what was going on. 

One witness said: “I don’t know what’s happening. It looks like a raid.

The Argus:

“I was just out for a walk and was surprised to see so many police in the street, it’s quite a quiet area.”

A sniffer dog was seen walking up and down the road shortly after 7am.

Officers remained inside the house for some time, emerging at 7.36am with a man in handcuffs.

The Argus:

He was placed inside a police car outside the flat. 

A second man, also in handcuffs, was escorted out of the house five minutes later and was placed inside the police van.

Officers remained at the scene as of 7.50am.

The Argus:

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Our Brighton and Hove prevention team arrested three people in a Brighton warrant, thanks to community intelligence.

"Officers entered a property in Buckingham Road, Brighton, at about 7am to conduct a drugs warrant.

"A quantity of class A drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered inside the property. 

The Argus:

"Three men aged 22, 26 and 31 were all arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. 

"The trio remain in custody while the investigation is ongoing.

"Our priority is keeping communities safe and feeling safe, and we are asking the public to continue to make the right call so we can ensure that our resources are focused on those who genuinely need our help and to prevent crime.

"If you have concerns around drug issues in your area we would encourage you to report this information to us either online or by calling 101."