POLICE found substances suspected to be drugs stuffed inside a child’s schoolbag during an undercover raid yesterday.

The Oxford Mail accompanied covert officers on Operation Bilbo as they targeted a house in Rose Hill, Oxford.

Class B drugs with a street value of about £2,500 plus £600 in cash were seized.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and later bailed.

The bust took place at around 10am in Jersey Road as both plain-clothed and uniformed officers raided the home.

Neighbours said they were stunned.

One Jersey Road resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I heard a noise and then the next thing there were police everywhere, it was pretty shocking. You don’t expect it around here.”

Ray James, from the Rose Hill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “In all nine or 10 years living near here I’ve never known of a drugs raid. “It certainly isn’t something that comes up and it is surprising to hear that it has been going on. We do know that alcohol is a problem in and around the area, but not drugs.”

Operation leader Sgt Gordon Kille, said: “It was a successful warrant and we were very pleased with the execution.

“We believe we have removed what is a substantial amount of cannabis from the streets.

“Operation Bilbo worked in tandem with the local neighbourhood team beforehand and many of those officers will be visible over the coming days if residents of Jersey Road or any of the adjoining roads want to talk to them about drugs in the area.”