Drugs and cash seized in police raids

THREE men have been arrested and a quantity of Class B drugs have been recovered, after police simultaneously executed warrants on three North East addresses. Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) spent their extra leap year day by cracking down on organised drug crime, with the National Crime Agency, Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary all involved.

Yesterday, officers simultaneously descended upon three addresses - one on Candlish Street, South Shields, another on Bluebell close in Cramlington, and the final on Kirkfields, Sherburn. Three men, aged 29, 31 and 31 were arrested on suspicion of importation of drug offences and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

All three remain in police custody.

Investigators say searches of the properties resulted in officers recovering a quantity of suspected Class B drugs, a large quantity of cash, drug paraphernalia, and a large ‘Zombie’ knife. Following the strikes, NEROCU Detective Inspector Martin praised the partnership, as well as months of hard work leading to the day of action.

She said: “This is exactly the type of partnership activity that will continue as part of Operation Sentinel, which is our region-wide response to tackling Serious and Organised Crime. The investigation and arrests reaffirm our zerotolerance approach to drugs and our commitment to rooting out criminality within our communities.

“Drug supply often funds other areas of organised crime such as child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery and illegal gun importation so tackling drug crime is vital. Drugs and those looking to profit from these illicit activities have no place in our communities.”