37 arrests after major crackdown on crime
ALMOST 100kg of illicit drugs, £1.5million in cash, firearms and a grenade have been seized as part of the North East’s biggest ever crackdown on serious and organised crime.
A national clampdown has seen coordinated strikes, tactical vehicle stops and raids across the region since March by officers from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) alongside teams from Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland.
The activity – called Operation Venetic – follows months of planning and undercover work by European law enforcement agencies.
They successfully gained access to an encrypted means of criminal communication that was being used by thousands across Europe and allowing them to carry out their activity under the radar.
Thousands of handsets were monitored and millions of messages analysed before forces set about targeting some of the most dangerous individuals operating in their communities.
In the North East, this activity has seen nine firearms recovered, alongside 91kg of cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA and ketamine seized as well as thousands of cannabis plants destroyed and a range of cars seized.
A total of 37 people have been arrested across the region with nine remanded in custody.
Detective Chief Superintendent Alastair Simpson, from NERSOU, said: “Organised crime is anything which is planned, coordinated and conducted by brazen individuals who want nothing more than to turn a profit.
“This operation sends a clear message that we will do all we can to bring these people to justice and seize any assets achieved through criminal means.
“Organised crime can devastate our communities and can often see the exploitation of children and vulnerable people. While it’s amazing to see such large recoveries of drugs and firearms, it’s important we continue our work so these groups are dismantled and can no longer operate.
“Community intelligence is vital to this and we hope this activity gives people the confidence to approach their local force with any information that can help us tackle serious and organised crime.”
Jayne Lloyd, NCA Regional Head of Investigations for the North, said: “Operation Venetic is the broadest and most significant co-ordinated assault on UK organised crime groups ever seen. Criminals who believed they were operating anonymously in the shadows of technology, have and are still being exposed, this is causing criminals grave concern.”