Operation against organised crime earns recognition
MORE THAN £1.7M WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED BY SPECIAL UNIT
A SPECIAL operations unit has been commended after seizing more than £1.7m and 162kg of drugs in a clampdown on criminal activity.
The North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) carried out 18 criminal disruptions and assisted the forces of Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland with 43 others.
As part of Operation Venetic, the country’s biggest, most significant crackdown on organised criminality, the team carried out anything from search warrants to vehicle stops and dawn raids.
A total of £1,709,126 and 162.6 kilos of drugs were recovered, along with the seizure of 10 encrypted devices, a drugs press, luxury goods and a haul of firearms, including a hand-made grenade.
From the 80 arrests made, 17 people have since been charged, with a number already brought to justice.
And last week, that monumental effort was recognised when 81 officers and staff from NERSOU were given commendations from Chief Constable of Northumbria Police Winton Keenen, in a socially distanced ceremony.
The Chief Constable said: “I continue to be very impressed with the work NERSOU carries out on behalf of our region.
“These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the officers and staff who are not only committed to tackling serious and organised crime under the banner of Operation Venetic, but in all its forms.
“Thank you all for your relentless
pursuit of dangerous offenders, and for working with the public, local businesses and partners to make our communities a better place.”
Head of NERSOU Det Chief Supt Alastair Simpson said: “My officers work around the clock to keep our communities safe from the ‘ripple effects’ of serious and organised crime.
“Thanks to this activity we have seen dangerous offenders arrested and jailed, harmful substances seized before they can reach our streets, and organised criminals stripped of the assets they need to continue their shady activities.
“What’s great about Operation Venetic is that the public have been given an opportunity to see what can happen when police forces and regional crime units across the country work together, sharing information to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal groups and safeguard those caught up in between.
“I want to take this opportunity to praise all those involved in Operation Venetic.
“Your work really has made a difference, and I hope this commendation is a reminder of the role that you have played in not only pursuing some of the most dangerous offenders, but in making the North East a safer place.
“We will proudly continue our work alongside Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland in the fight against organised crime – under our regional banner of Operation Sentinel.”
The North East Regional Special Operations Unit was established in October 2013, and plays a key role in tackling serious and organised crime in the region.
It is made up of officers from the three forces of Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland.
We’ve seen dangerous offenders jailed and harmful substances seized Det Chief Supt Alastair Simpson