FOUR men were arrested for alleged drugs and money-laundering offences after breakfast-time raids across three police force areas today (Wednesday, May 22).

Warrants were executed at three addresses in Easington Colliery, County Durham, at a house in North Shields, North Tyneside, and at a holiday park at Hutton Sessay, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

The men detained, aged 27, 35, 40 and 41, were taken into custody at Peterlee and Durham city police stations where they were to be questioned later today.

More than 50 detectives, uniformed officers and specialist staff, took part in the raids, starting at about 6am.

Dubbed Operation Madrid, it was a joint venture planned by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Durham Police.

Assistance was also provided by Northumbria Police over the action in North Shields.

The raids formed part of the force’s ongoing Sledgehammer campaign targeting organised crime gangs operating in the County Durham and Darlington areas, many of whom have links to criminal activity in other force areas.

Durham’s Police Commissioner, Ron Hogg, and Chief Constable, Mike Barton, observed the raids.

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will remain on the streets visited through the day to offer reassurance to any concerned residents.

Specialist advice on issues such as drug misuse and financial worries will also be available at Easington Social Welfare Club, in Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, through the day as part of a multi-agency week of action.

Inspector Vince Addison said: “Today’s operation has been planned for some time and is the result of close collaboration between SOCA and ourselves.

“We have targeted a small group of people who live in our area, but who are suspected of committing crime across the region, which we realise is far removed from the normal day-to-day concerns of local residents,” added Insp Addison, a neighbourhood police team inspector in east Durham.

SOCA’s regional head of investigations, Gerry Smyth, said: “Today’s activity with Durham Constabulary demonstrates the co-ordinated law enforcement approach to tackling the illegal drugs trade and money laundering, which allows criminal businesses to operate.”

He added that SOCA and its partners remain “determined” to protect the public, in the North-East and across the UK, from the threat of organised crime.