Drug raids across UK North East in the wee hours, cops target gangs preying on vulnerable people

Cleveland Police and Durham Constabulary spent months gathering information and evidence before serving warrants on people and recovering narcotics and cash.

Durham Constabulary targeted addresses in Darlington and the surrounding region, while a series of searches in the Cleveland Police force area were successfully executed over the previous ten days.

Darlington's neighborhood police team, assisted by officers of the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU), detained 19 people and recovered around £31,000 in cash, tens of thousands of pounds in cocaine, and hundreds of MDMA pills.


They also safeguarded eight vulnerable individuals, including five children aged three to twelve. Steroids and drug trafficking paraphernalia were also discovered, as were several suspected stolen e-bikes, firearms, two vehicles, and a number of high-value jewellery and watches purchased with drug-dealing money.



Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team Inspector said the operation was their reaction to the illicit drug trade in Darlington to punish those who sell narcotics in our communities and abuse vulnerable people.

He stated that they were seeking people who were inclined to exploit others and that they could store or prepare their narcotics at someone else's house. When someone is targeted because of their addiction, they see it as the dealer taking advantage of their fragility.

Following a series of early morning raids in the neighboring Cleveland force area, 27 targets were successfully apprehended and three more were detained.

FAQ

Where is Cleveland?
Cleveland, the City of Cleveland, is the county seat of Cuyahoga County in the United States.

Where is Darlington?
Darlington is a market town in Darlington Borough, County Durham, England.