POLICE discovered tens of thousands of pounds of drugs being stashed in a "safehouse" during a raid on a city property.

The raid at a premises in Exwick was part of an operation to net major drug suppliers working within the city.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police's road crime unit say they seized up to £25,000 of Class B amphetamines — destined for the streets of Exeter.

The haul, thought to be around two kilos, was being prepared for sale on the streets when officers descended on the top floor flat.

Cutting agent used for selling the substance was also discovered. Bags of drugs were found scattered around the property, including stashes in the freezer.

Police also tracked a man who left the property in a Ford Transit van. When they stopped and searched him, he was found in possession of what is believed to be amphetamines. Three people have been arrested in connection with the raid on suspicion of drug supply offences.

The men, aged 26, 34 and 38, have been released on bail until November while enquiries are ongoing. Two of the men are from Exwick and the third is from Tiverton.

Detective Sergeant Jim Anderton, of the road crime unit, said drugs were being stored throughout the flat, which was also being lived in by two men.

"The operation was intelligence based, using a variety of sources, and was in relation to the supply of controlled drugs," he said. "Intelligence links led us to a rented property in the Exwick area. We believe the occupants of the flat and other people were involved in the supply of controlled drugs and were using the premises.

"The property was being used as a 'safehouse' to store drugs but we believe it was also being occupied by two males.

"A man was seen to leave the property just prior to us arriving. The vehicle was intercepted a mile away. The man in the vehicle was found to be in possession of between two to three ounces of what we believe to be amphetamine.

"He was arrested in connection with the supply of amphetamine and in connection with its storage. Some of the drugs found in the property were in various states of preparation for supply in the Exeter area, some were stored in the freezer and some openly in the flat."

Det Sgt Anderton said the raid on Tuesday morning had caused major disruption to one of the city's drugs supplies.

"I am happy we have been able to identify a person we suspect is relatively high up in the supply chain," he said.

"I'm pleased to take two kilos of a controlled substance in a raw state away. The amount would probably be about five kilos when prepared."

The road crimes unit has seized around £5million of drugs across Devon and Cornwall in the past three years.