Four arrested and drugs seized during police patrols

OFFICERS have arrested four people in their 20s and seized a haul of illicit substances amid targeted police patrols in North Tyneside.

On Friday evening (April 5), officers witnessed a male sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle in the Hylton Terrace area of North Shields with the engine running, inhaling a substance believed to be nitrous oxide.

When approached, police say they discovered balloons, two bottles of suspected nitrous oxide, and seven empty boxes.

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion driving a vehicle whilst unfit and was taken into custody.

However, officers soon arrested a second 21-year-old man when, acting on community intelligence, they spotted a male matching the description of an individual believed to be dealing drugs in North Shields.

Cash and three large bags of cannabis were seized. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

A search of an address saw officers uncover a further £5,000 in cash, a knuckle duster, 30 bottles of cannabis oil, alongside other paraphernalia related to drug-dealing.

On the same evening, a vehicle suspected to be linked to drug dealing was spotted in the

Brunton Street area of Percy

Main.

A man and a woman, aged 27 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

Chief Inspector Sally Pallace, of Northumbria Police, said: “Four arrests, more than £5000 cash seized, and a slew of Class A, B, and C drugs seized; this is what we can achieve just in a day through proactive policing.

“I hope this sends a clear message to those involved in this type of offending – drugs do not belong in our communities, and we will not stop in our efforts to identify and disrupt anyone we believe to be engaged in this activity.”

All four people arrested have been released under police investigation whilst enquires continue.

Anyone wanting to report suspicious activity is asked to contact police using the ‘Report’ pages of the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101. If a crime is ongoing, always call 999.

The public can also report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.