Three arrested as police seize £5,000 worth of cannabis from South Tyneside house

Northumbria Police said drug-busting officers stopped £5,000 of illicit substances from reaching the streets of South Tyneside following a morning raid.

Police targeted the property – which was covered with external CCTV cameras – early on Friday, June 11, in a bid to surprise suspects inside.

Not wanting to alert the occupants to the coordinated strike, officers hopped over garden fences and covertly surrounded the address.

Those inside then received a surprise wake-up call as police searched the property and uncovered a significant stash of cannabis that was packaged and ready to be pumped out to the streets of South Shields.

Two men and a woman found inside the address were placed under arrest and the drugs subsequently seized.

Detective Inspector Iain Saville, of Northumbria Police, said: "This was a fantastic outcome as we stopped £5,000 worth of cannabis from reaching our communities.

“This kind of drugs operation is quite often linked to organised crime groups who use this income to fund other types of criminality.

“There is no question that this strike will dent the pockets of criminals operating in this area and we will continue to take a proactive approach towards tackling serious and violent crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel.

“I would like to thank all the officers involved in this operation who were able to expertly execute this warrant while ensuring they remained undetected in the moments beforehand.

“Their hard work has allowed us to seize a significant quantity of cannabis as well as electronic devices that may provide crucial evidence in our ongoing battle to tackle drug supply across Sunderland and South Tyneside.”

A 48-year-old man arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis remains under investigation with enquiries ongoing.

The two other people arrested during the raid have been released and will face no further action.

If you suspect drug misuse or supply in your community, please report it to police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101. Alternatively you can pass on information to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by ringing 0800 555 111.

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