A specialist unit set up in Bristol to tackle the supply of Class A drugs is celebrating its eighth anniversary.

The Atrium drugs team, launched in June 2001, gather information on the people and places involved in drugs and obtain warrants to search buildings and seize drugs.

They also recover cash and assets from those involved in drug dealing.

Below are just some of Atrium's successes over the past eight years.

Seized £313,000 of drugs, including cocaine, and £50,000 cash following arrests at Bristol International Airport and a warrant executed in Farleigh Road, Backwell.

In May 2007 two men were sentenced to nine years in jail for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. They were subsequently ordered to repay £65,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Drugs with a street value of nearly £140,000 were recovered in July 2006. A 39-year-old man was arrested at Bristol's Temple Meads Railway Station and 500 ecstasy tablets were found on him along with amphetamine powder.

Atrium officers searched a house in Totterdown and recovered 2.75kg of cocaine, a kilo of amphetamine powder and 1,300 ecstasy tablets.

Officers found 500 ecstasy tablets and cannabis at a second property. Three men were charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs.

In November 2006 officers stopped a car in the St George area of Bristol and found crack cocaine.

The driver was arrested and nearby homes were searched. More than £20,000 cash was seized together with crack cocaine, diamorphine and heroin worth £12,000 on the street.

A 29-year-old woman was arrested at one of the addresses. The man and woman were jailed for five and a half years and nine months respectively.

In February 2004 officers seized heroin with an estimated street value of £100,000 following an intelligence-led operation at Bristol Bus Station.

A bus from Victoria Station in London was intercepted and three passengers aged 46, 32 and 18 were found in possession of two kilos of heroin.

This year nine people were sentenced to more than 30 years in prison between them following an Atrium investigation into Class A drugs.

Inspector Dave Bradnock, who is part of the Atrium team, said: "Over the past eight years, officers from the Atrium team have worked tirelessly to tackle the supply of Class A drugs throughout Avon and Somerset.

"We have had excellent results that show the difference Atrium makes.

"There is no room for complacency and officers remain committed to taking drugs off our streets and bringing offenders to justice.

"Those people who are involved in illegal drugs should sit up and take notice because we will not allow them to continue behaviour which harms the individuals involved and the communities in which they operate.

"Community information can make a big difference and when we are told about drugs we will act on it whenever we can.

"Anyone with information about the people, buildings, or vehicles involved in the supply of drugs should come forward and report it so that we can continue to tackle the problem."