POLICE have issued images of two men they are hunting as part of an investigation into a suspected multi-million pound drugs ring, as eight men appeared before magistrates charged in connection with the inquiry.

More than 320 officers from Cleveland and Greater Manchester Police swooped on properties during dawn raids on Wednesday morning.

The investigation, called Operation Cobweb, saw 25 people arrested, with 18 having already being charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Cleveland Police released images of a further two men they are looking for in a bid to track them down.

The first is 27-year-old Robert Hickman, who is originally from South Bank but has extensive contacts across Cleveland and into the Manchester area. He is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build and has a noticeably misshapen and shortened right arm.

The other is Ricky Beresford, 23, who is from the Stockton area but has recently been living in Bishop Auckland. He too has numerous connections across the Cleveland area.

He is known locally as “Beevis” and is described as around 5ft 8ins tall and of heavy build. He is of Asian appearance with receding black hair and facial hair.

This morning (Thursday 28) two women were thrown out of the public gallery at Teesside Magistrates Court after shouting out as two defendants were remanded in custody.

Mark Powell, 36, of Londonderry Road, Stockton, and 27-year-old Stephen Sparrow, of Black Diamond Way, Eaglescliffe, Stockton, were remanded in custody until next week after being charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

David Hobson, 29, of Raglan Close, Stockton; David Cuthbert, 37, of Rose Court, Ware Street, Stockton, and Scott McGowan, 27, of School Walk, Stockton, were the next three in the dock charged with the same offence. All three were remanded in custody until April 4.

Scott Hine, 30, of Laburnum Road, Ormesby, Middlesbrough; Jason Turnbull, 31, of Lulsgate, Thornaby, Stockton; and Martin Dougan, 30, Cambridge Square, Middlesbrough, were also remanded in custody charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs until the same date, when all eight will appear before Teesside Crown Court.

Two other people from the Cleveland force area were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drug but were bailed by police.

The 12 people arrested in the Greater Manchester area were expected to appear before Oldham Magistrates Court today (Thursday).

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two wanted men is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.