money seized during a police operation has been handed back to its owner on the orders of a judge.

Sniffer dogs and a number of partner agencies had swooped on locations around the Chelworth Park Industrial Estate near Cricklade finding cash and suspected Class A drugs.

Trading standards, the Environment Agency and HM Revenue and Customs, the UK Border Agency and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency helped the police carry out raids on the estate, at a private property and on a farm throughout Wednesday, February 24.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said at the time the raids were carried out as part of concerns raised within the Cricklade community and from information received by police.

Last night a statement from Morrison and Masters Solicitors issued on behalf on their client stated: “You and your readers should know that at the Swindon Magistrates’ Court on February 25, an application by the police to retain property seized in the ‘raid’ failed.

“The police were ordered to return the money and to pay our clients costs of dealing with the matter of the return of the money in the sum of £1,351.25.

“The presiding district judge expressed the view that the police case ‘was very weak’ and that there was no evidence to justify the assertion that the property seized was the proceeds of crime.

“The judge further commented that the amount of property was ‘unremarkable’.”

The statement went on: “The parties in our client’s position have a right to be heard and that any damage to their business resultant from the adverse publicity will result in a claim being made against the appropriate party.”

Police responded by saying the investigation was still ongoing.

Detective Inspector Tony Hubbard of Wiltshire Police said: “This operation was proportionate and justified based on information received by the local community and by intelligence gathered.

“The cash seized during the operation has been returned but a quantity of documentation and what is believed to be Class A drugs has been retained while inquiries continue.

“It is our responsibility to take appropriate action on information received and we will continue to work with partner agencies where necessary in the future to do this.”