Hunter Valley police officers have  welcomed new laws which allow them to target serious drug dealers without the need for a warrant.

Under the provision to be trialed in our region...police can conduct a search without permission from the court if the person involved has been convicted of a serious drug supply charge in the last ten years.

Ian Allwood from the local branch of the police union said he expects it won't take long for these new laws to be utilised by local officers.

Image: Darren Cutrupi