Police seize huge stash of prescription drugs and £14,000 in raids across Sunderland and South Tyneside

Officers executed warrants at seven addresses across Sunderland and South Tyneside during three coordinated days over the last two weeks – the last of which came on Monday, September 28.

A number of properties were searched, including in Frederick Street, South Shields, Mons Avenue, Hebburn, and Oaklands Crescent, Sunderland.

Warrants were also executed at addresses in the Southwick and Town End Farm areas of Sunderland.

Codenamed Operation Indigo, the raids followed police intelligence which showed an increase in the illegal sale of prescription drugs throughout the region.

Police have confirmed that five men were arrested as part of the raids while large amounts of prescription drugs, including Pregablin and Valium, were seized.

Officers also discovered a haul of counterfeit cigarettes and an excess of £14,000 in cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Mcguigan, of Northumbria Police says that the force is happy with the outcome of the raids.

He said: “Through our role, unfortunately we often see the devastating and often fatal effects drugs misuse can have on some of the most vulnerable members of society, their families and the wider community as a whole.

“On many occasions, organised criminal groups supply illicit drugs into the community for purely financial gain, and they then use that income to fund other illegal activities.

“Through Operation Indigo, our aim is to detect and disrupt these groups and make sure illegal drugs such as these never make it onto the streets and into the hands of the most vulnerable.

“We are delighted with the outcome of these planned strikes, with five people brought into custody and a significant amount of drugs and cash believed to be associated in criminality seized.

DCI Mcguigan also warned of the dangers of taking non-prescribed could have.

He added: “These types of medication drugs could have harmful or potentially fatal consequences if taken by someone they are not prescribed to.

“We would ask anyone who sees prescription drugs being sold in this illicit way, or who are offered them, to immediately get in touch.”

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