Police swoop nets suspected drug dealers

Jun 12 2009 The Journal

SUSPECTED drug-dealers have appeared in court after they were arrested in an early morning raid.

Police have charged seven people with offences relating to the supply of illegal drugs following a major operation, which saw around 100 police officers swoop on homes in the Bishop Auckland area of County Durham.

Four men, aged 25, 29, 30 and 34, and four women, 24, 25, 27 and 28, were arrested during the breakfast time raids in Woodhouse Close, and Coundon Grange, on Wednesday morning.

Durham Police has now charged seven with offences relating to the supply of drugs.

The eight person, a woman, has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Codenamed, Operation Nimrod, Wednesday’s raids, aimed at smashing the supply chain of class A drugs, including heroin. Five homes were raided at around 6.45am.

A 34-year-old man from Cheesemond Avenue, a 30-year-old man from Langdale Walk, and a 35-year-old, from Princes Street, all Bishop Auckland, appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates yesterday. Their cases were adjourned and they will return to court at a later date.

A 24-year-old man, and 28-year-old woman from Randolph Street, Eldon Lane, and a 24-year-old woman from Cambridge Court, Bishop Auckland, were released on bail.

A 26-year-old woman, bought in for questioning from Low Newton Prison was also bailed.