A DRUG house in Newport was closed down by police yesterday after officers raided it twice since October, finding drugs were being used and supplied.

Magistrates yesterday granted Gwent Police a “crackhouse closure” order to close 6 Morris Street in Maindee for three months at a hearing at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court.

Ciaran Gould, solicitor for Gwent Police, told the court that class A drugs were being bought at the address and that drugs and paraphernalia were found there by officers.

The landlord, Nathan Mears, did not attend the hearing and the court heard that he had not co-operated with police.

The court heard that notice of application had been already served on tenants Sam Slaughter, Lucien Rouselle and Courtney Phillips.

A court heard that neighbours had complained about intimidation and threats in relation to the premises, but were too frightened to give evidence at the hearing.

PC Leanne Pole, crime and disorder reduction officer for Newport East, said nearby residents had been suffering with anti-social behaviour such as knocking on doors by mistake and shouting at bedroom windows.

In one instance a resident found bongs and needles had been thrown into a nearby garden, the court heard.

A drugs warrant was served on the address on October 22, with officers finding bongs, methadone bottles and needles with blood in them.

Mr Slaughter, the court heard, was on the day seen in a vehicle swallowing an item he later admitted to police was a £20 rock of crack.

On December 26 a man suffered a drug overdose at the address – he was brought around by paramedics.

On January 13 the property was raided again. Offices found kitchen foil and weighing scales, while one person was found to be carrying hypodermic needles.

Granting the order to close the property for three months, chairwoman of the bench Pauline Andrews said: “On the balance of probabilities drugs were being supplied and use at the property.”

Peace and quiet at last

IT COULD have been a moving day like any other, with DVDs, weights and even crutches piled up on the street outside.

But Sergeant Jon Skillett said yesterday was a good day for the residents of Morris Street when a drug house was shut down and its tenants forced out.

It was residents who had given information to the police of the activities at the address, leading to two drug raids since October.

“We take class A drug dealing very seriously,”

Sgt Skillett told the Argus. “Anybody who is involved in that activity can be expected to be dealt with very seriously and possibly lose their place of residence.”

Workers arrived to put steel shutters on the house yesterday afternoon, closing it for three months.