Police discover drugs factory
A suspected drug dealer has appeared in court after police discovered a fake tablet operation worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in Sunderland.
Shortly after 11am on Sunday, December 20, officers were called to an address in Silksworth after a member of the public heard screaming and shouting from inside.
With no response at the front door, police entered through the rear door and found a pill-pressing machine running in the kitchen.
They also discovered a small store room filled with various large bags of white powder and a cement mixer, along with bags containing large quantities of white tablets.
The tablets were later confirmed to be Class C drug Etizolam, often used in the manufacture of fake ‘street’ Diazepam.
Bundles of 10,000 tablets are often sold for up to £2,000 each at street value.
An 18-year-old man appeared before magistrates in South Tyneside charged with producing a Class C drug and will appear at Newcastle Crown Court in the New Year.
Detective Inspector Neal Craig, of Northumbria Police, said :“This was an excellent discovery by the officers who were originally attending a report of a domestic-related incident.
“After nobody came to the door, officers trusted their instinct and gained access to the address. Inside, they uncovered a sophisticated drugs operation capable of creating hundreds of thousands of illegal tablets on an industrial scale.
“The tablets were later confirmed to be Etizolam which can pose a serious risk of harm to anybody who abuses them.
“I would like to thank the member of the public who reported the disturbance to us – that information led us to taking these tablets off the streets.
“Criminals involved in drug-related criminality often prey on the addiction and desperation of some of the most vulnerable in our communities. That’s why we make no apology for our robust stance and will continue to target offenders under the banner of Operation Sentinel.”
The machine has since been dismantled and the tablets seized.
Anyone who suspects drug misuse or supply in their area is asked to report it to police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of its website or by calling 101. Or you can ring independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.