A COUNCILLOR is under police investigation as part of a large scale probe into a suspected drugs ring.

Brierfield Town councillor Mazer Iqbal, 36, was arrested as part of Operation Hornbeam -- an investigation in to the alleged smuggling, production and supply of drugs to East Lancashire.

Coun Iqbal, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, was arrested when raids were carried out in pubs in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle.

He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm a 36-year-old man from Halifax Road was arrested and later released on bail pending further inquiries."

Council clerk John Grice today said he did not know Coun Iqbal, who was co-opted on to the council in 2005, had been arrested. He added it was inappropriate to comment on whether action would be taken him.

Mr Grice said: "I am not in a position to make any comment until such time Coun Iqbal has surrendered to his bail and the outcome of the police operation is known."

In July police from across the county carried out a number of raids across East Lancashire as part of Operation Hornbeam.

The Last Orders Pub, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, the New Inn pub, Thomas Street, Oswaldtwistle, and the Open All Hours shop, Spring Hill Road, Accrington were all searched.

Officers also swooped on homes in Stanley Street, Accrington, High Street, Oswaldtwistle, and Halifax Road, Brierfield.

A 24-year-old man from High Street, Oswaldtwistle, a 36-year-old man from Halifax Road, Brierfield, a 48-year-old man from the Last Orders Pub, and a 46-year-old man and woman, 43, from the New Inn were arrested. The raids followed searches in April as part of the same operation.

Then seven people were arrested following a bust on a property in Eden Street, Blackburn, which police described as a "commercial skunk cannabis operation".

Coun Iqbal refused to comment, saying his solicitor was dealing with the matter.