UPDATE 12.31pm: Gwent Police's Operation Jigsaw is targeting serious organised crime, the many forms of which can include: Top tier drugs supply of some of the most dangerous Class A drugs; child sexual exploitation and human trafficking; violence and intimidation; cyber-crime; and money laundering.

“We will not tolerate criminal activity and violence that intimidates and exploits the most vulnerable people in our communities," said Gwent Police's Superintendent for the Newport area, Mike Richards, following this morning's raids.

"More than 70 officers have worked together to carry out these warrants and I’m extremely proud of their hard work and determination, which doesn’t stop here. 

“This sort of activity is just one aspect of a much larger fight to tackle serious and organised crime in Gwent.

"I really hope this sends a strong message to those involved in these types of crimes that we have our eyes on you.

“As always, I’d like to thank our communities for their support which is vital for warrants like these be executed successfully.

"Nobody knows their neighbourhood better than the communities that live there. 

“If you see something that either seems out of place or just doesn’t add up then you can contact us and know it will be dealt with seriously.

"What may seems like a small detail to you, to us it could be the final piece to a much bigger picture.”

UPDATE 11.58am: THE 10 people who have been arrested are all from the Newport area.

They have been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs and are currently in custody being questioned;

They include: Five men aged 42, 22, 21, 21, and 20; one woman aged 25; four boys aged 17, 16, 16 and 15.

UPDATE 11.53am: Gwent Police have shared dramatic video footage of the moment an officer smashed down a door at one of the targeted properties in Newport earlier this morning.

UPDATE 11.50am: TEN people have been arrested as a result of this morning's raids across Newport.

More than 70 specialist officers have been involved, targeting the most serious and organised crime in Gwent, as part of Operation Jigsaw.

The teams included specialist method of entry and search trained officers, along with officers from the Gwent Police dogs section and criminal investigation teams.
Newport-based officers also helped to carry out the raids.

UPDATE 10.40am: Raids are continuing throughout the morning - updates as more information becomes available.

South Wales Argus:

A LARGE scale police operation is taking place across Newport this morning.

Gwent Police are reporting that people are likely to see an "increased presence of officers" across the city, including specialist officers.

READ MORE:

Nine early morning raids have been carried out at properties in relation to serious and organised crime.

It is part of the force's ongoing Operation Jigsaw, which is targeting organised crime.