Police arrest 15 in dawn drugs raids

Nov 27 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

DRUGS raids across County Durham saw 15 people arrested on suspicion of dealing heroin.

The dawn operation involved 70 officers, including drugs dog handlers. They arrested 11 men and four women after swooping on 13 properties – most of them in the Seaham area. Those arrested, all in their 20s and 30s, were taken to police stations in Peterlee and Durham City for questioning about their alleged involvement in the supply of heroin.

An estimated £3,000 worth of class A drugs was seized at one of the raided properties and is being analysed.

Durham’s assistant chief constable, Mike Barton, said the strikes, at 11 addresses in Seaham and two on Wearside and in Hetton, were the first of Operation Nimrod. It aims to tackle people who deal in hard drugs.

He said the planned and carefully co-ordinated raids were the result of months of evidence gathering and were the opening shots in a new war on street-level drug dealing.

Mr Barton said: “Extra surveillance officers are already on the streets targeting those involved in the visible dealing of heroin and cocaine in residential and public areas of County Durham and Darlington.

“The police will be assisting addicts to seek out support to tackle their addiction. But, make no mistake. We are resolute in our determination to hunt down those who persist in being involved in this destructive and ruinous trade.

“As well as street dealers we will also be seeking out the homes and other properties where the same drugs are bought, sold and used,” he added.

Mr Barton said the force was grateful for the information and intelligence provided by members of the public whose tip-offs continue to help direct surveillance operations and produced real results.

He said: “Many of those we target are also prolific burglars and thieves. By arresting and convicting them of drug-related offending they will receive the sentences they deserve.”

The man in charge of the operation, Inspector Vince Addison, said: “The proportion of drug users and the availability of drugs in Seaham are consistent with the similar problems facing other towns and villages across the North East.

“The scale of the police action does not signify there is a major problem in Seaham. What it does underline, though, is the commitment of the police to deal with that problem.”