£2million of illegal drugs destroyed in fight against serious and organised crime

The colossal amount of class A and class B drugs had been seized across Teesside over a six-month period.

Multi-kilos of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and illegal tablets were taken to a secure unit where they were then subsequently burnt.

The drugs are largely suspected of being connected to various organised crime networks.

It follows months of action by police – in Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland along with specialist departments including the Organised Crime Unit and the Dedicated Drugs and County Lines Team – conducting targeted raids and stop searches over a prolonged period. 

Detective Chief Inspector Nick See, from Cleveland Police's Dedicated Drugs and County Lines Team, said: “The drugs are a culmination of proactive activity by officers who are relentless in their pursuit to target activity in Teesside that is linked to serious and organised crime.

“Criminal networks profit from the supply of illegal drugs and reap the rewards through their lavish lifestyles.

“The organisations are often linked to the criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults who may be homeless, have a disability or suffer from severe addictions. This can then often be linked to a wave of crime to fund their habit including anti-social behaviour, burglary and theft.

“The supply of illegal drugs also encompasses serious violence from tit-for-tat reprisals such as the discharge of a firearm, knife and arson attacks which can occur behind the scenes or openly within our community.

“Seizing these drugs goes a long way to disrupting all of this criminality. We couldn’t do it without the support of the public who are our eyes and our ears. By reporting information, it leads to the drugs being recovered and the arrests of those who are associated with it.

“Please keep it up and I will assure you that our officers will continue to take action.”

If you suspect criminal activity is occurring in your neighbourhood, please report it by calling Cleveland Police on 101 or visiting the website.

Information can also be provided anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.