About 100 officers, assisted by immigration officials, raided the Normanton Hotel on Lower Dale Road and seized cannabis and crack cocaine on Thursday night.

Eight people were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs and nine on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

A police spokesman said the hotel was closed down after the raid.

Superintendent John Wright, from Derbyshire Police, said: "For a number of months, local community leaders have expressed concern about the drugs problems in the Normanton area and we were keen to show we were listening.

"We will hold consultation meetings over the next few days with high-visibility policing to ensure there are no more problems."

Police said the 16 men and one woman are being questioned on suspected drugs and immigration offences.