A number of students were among a group of 20 Britons arrested after police smashed a suspected drugs ring on Ibiza, authorities have said.

Extensive searches on the Balearic island uncovered a haul of illegal substances including 38,000 ecstasy tablets, 8.8lb (4kg) of cocaine, 8.8oz (250g) of ketamine, 7 pints (4l) of GHB, and 1.8oz (50g) grams of crystal MDMA.

Some 56,000 euro (£45,840) was also seized as part of Operation Arrow - a joint venture by the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and the Spanish National Guard.

The 14 men and 11 women arrested are believed to be members of the most active gang on the island involved in the nightclub drugs scene.

They include two Irish nationals, a Czech national, a Slovak and a Spaniard, along with 20 Britons who come from London, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.

Police believe the drugs ring was led from the UK and had two branches in Ibiza - one in charge of establishing contacts and another responsible for distributing the drugs.

The gang is believed to have rented luxury villas on the island for its ringleaders and flats and apartments in tourist resorts for its dealers.

A spokesman for Soca said the illegal substances were smuggled on to the island in cars coming from the UK or in the luggage of British tourists flying in to Ibiza for their holidays.