Police arrest six following early morning drug raids
SIX suspects were arrested after early morning drug raids on Tyneside.
Police officers and dog handlers carried out the searches on Wednesday at six properties in Boldon and South Shields in South Tyneside and arrested five men and one woman.
Cash and suspected drugs were seized by officers, along with mobile phones and other technological devices.
The planned raids were part of Operation Marsaf, which aims to disrupt organised crime activity and targeted a group suspected of being involved in the distribution of drugs across the region.
Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Robson, of Northumbria Police, said: “This week’s activity reinforces our commitment to tackling suspected organised crime and drug dealing in South Tyneside.
“We are aware of the harmful impact drugs and drug dealing has on our communities, so we will continue to look to protect vulnerable people from being drawn into the vicious cycle of drug use and criminality.
“We are committed to tackling drug dealing across the region, and by taking positive action we can disrupt the activities of organised crime groups and identify suspected offenders.
“Anybody involved in this kind of harmful activity can expect to be pursued by police, as we look to make our communities safer.”
The six people have been released on bail pending further enquiries.