Drug users in Wallingford prefer ketamine to other illegal drugs, according to police after they shut down a makeshift ‘factory’.

Six people were arrested and £1,000 of the drug was seized when officers swooped on a home in St Peter’s Place in October.

According to officers, the class C drug, also used as a horse tranquilliser and commonly associated with rural areas, is the most used recreational drug in the town.

Pc Emma Dobie said: “We have noticed that within Wallingford it’s the main drug.

“It puts people into a zombie-like state and is widely available and very cheap.

“If you go to Didcot or Thame, it’s a different drug, but it’s ketamine that seems to be concentrated here.

“Normally it’s a horse tranquilliser often found in rural areas, so it could be for that reason, I don’t know.”

She added: “The raid was a good disruption to the supply. But it hasn’t gone away, it’s like cat and mouse, it’s just finding where it’s gone next.”

A team of officers had been watching the house for two months before the raid.

Ms Dobie said: “Local people were having a lot of problems and a lot of cars were coming and going.

“We didn’t find a huge quantity, the largest amount was about 50g, which was quite a lot but it wasn’t a massive factory.”

Mayor Alec Hayton said: “There have been some problems with narcotics here in the past but I was not aware that ketamine was around in Wallingford.

“I have no tolerance towards drug addicts.”

Paul Collins, 24, of Kennedy Crescent, Cholsey, admitted possession of ketamine on October 10. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £60 costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

Ben Phelan, 26, of St Peter’s Place, Wallingford, admitted allowing the use of premises for the supply of the drug. He was fined £200, with £60 costs and a victim surcharge of £15. He also admitted possessing ketamine and was fined £50.

John Stockings, 23, of Old London Road, Ewelme, admitted possessing ketamine at Wallingford. He was fined £80 with £60 costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

Three other people arrested for drug related offences were released on bail to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on March 16.

wallingford@oxfordmail.co.uk