A MALVERN man has been charged with possession of Class A drugs in the wake of a major police operation carried out in and around the town last week.

Some 60 police officers raided premises across the town on Thursday, December 11, in Operation Obelisk.

The raids targeted properties in Moat Way, Ramsons Close, Atyeo Close and Windsor Close in Malvern, at Blackmore Caravan Park just outside the town, and Damson Way in Suckley.

Lenny Nelson Hodgkins, aged 38, of Moat Way, was charged with possessing Class A drugs, and has subsequently been released on bail to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, December 29.

Two men, aged 21 and 30, and a woman aged 40, who were also arrested during the operation, have been released on bail until January 26 next year, pending further enquiries.

Across the six premises raided, about £2,000 in cash was seized, along with the drugs, a motorcycle believed to be stolen from Hartlebury in north Worcestershire last month, and other items suspected to be stolen.

Operation Obelisk, one of the biggest policing operations in the Malvern area in recent years, was targeted at a group the police believe are responsible for a wide range of crimes.