// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Drugs, cash and weapons found in raids as e-bikes 'blight' communities
An electric bike and electric motorbike seized during the raids, which will now be checked by police
Amphetamine, cannabis, suspected cocaine, cash and weapons have been found in early morning raids across south Wales as part of a clampdown on e-bikes.
Police are growing increasingly concerned about the link between e-bikes, serious organised crime and child exploitation - with many suspected offences being committed by children.
One senior officer said people were "fed up" of e-bikes "blighting" areas across the UK, while an expert said they could "grease the wheels" of organised crime.
The BBC has been given access to an operation by South Wales Police to combat e-bike related crime, from illegal riding, to drug dealing - a local response to a national problem.
South Wales Police officers forcing entry into a home in Swansea
It is six o'clock in the morning and the BBC has been invited to a police briefing involving undercover officers in Merthyr Tydfil.
Operation Grebe is a response to escalating concerns about illegal e-bike use across the UK.
An organised crime officer, who cannot be identified, leads the briefing.
"The aim is to disrupt criminal networks operating across the south Wales area, identify and safeguard vulnerable adults, children affected by criminal exploitation [and] seize criminal assets and disrupt criminal finances," he said.