ARMED drug dealers took over the home of a disabled man and his carer in Bournemouth.

Police discovered three males, weapons and large quantities of drugs and cash when they raided the address on Friday.

The haul included more than £5,000 in cash, phones, a hunting knife and other drug paraphernalia.

The occupier and his carer have since been safeguarded and a police investigation is underway.

One of those detained has been recalled to prison and is wanted for serious offences in London. Another is only 16-years-old.

A spokesman for Bournemouth Police said: "In company with our colleagues from Bournemouth North Neighbourhood policing team we attended the home address of a disabled man in Kinson.

"Located at his address were three males, a large quantity of suspected class A drugs, a quantity of cannabis, approximately £5,000 in cash, several mobile phones, a large hunting style knife and several items consistent with the production of class A drugs.

"As a result the three men have been assisting us with our enquiries. The disabled male and his carer have been safeguarded and the drugs and weapons have been removed from the streets of Dorset."

Inquiries revealed one of the three males was wanted in the London area for a serious assault. He was also was wanted for failing to attend court in relation to driving offences and had also been recalled to prison.

Police also discovered that another one of the males was only 16-years-old from the London area, who is suspected to have been exploited into county lines drug related activities. He is now in the process of being safeguarded.

It is believed the incident involves what is known as cuckooing, where those involved in illegal activities exploit vulnerable members of the community and use their premises for illegal activity.