POLICE have carried out a series of raids on addresses connected to a gang of suspected drugs dealers.

Four homes in the Grove Hill area of Middlesbrough were targeted just after 10am this morning (Wednesday, February 5) officers searching for cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin, as well as evidence of money laundering.

So far the operation has resulted in the arrest of two men as well as the recovery of £3,000 in cash.

Detective Inspector Christian Ellis, of Cleveland Police’s community drug enforcement team, is calling on local residents to continue feeding them with information to help get drug gangs off the streets.

He said: “Our aim today is to arrest these people, take them into custody and find some drugs at these four locations. We have gathered information from a variety of sources and we believe that all four addresses are connected to one drugs gang.

“Following the raids, I’m trying to encourage more members of the public to call in with information so that we can take action on it. The more information that we have, the more people we can arrest and get drugs off our streets.”

After the raids on the morning, including the one at an address on Rosedale Avenue, Grove Hill, members of the force’s neighbourhood policing team spoke to residents and handed out leaflets to reassure them that vital information can be passed on in confidence.

Sergeant Peter Graham had a simple message for residents, he said: “It’s your community, give us the information and we will use it to target people and get them arrested and off the streets.”

Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger added: “It shows that the reorganisation of the force has given the right balance between the needs of the community and centralising of the drugs units. These raids have worked perfectly.”

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. While a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Anyone with information or suspicions regarding the supply of drugs in their community is urged to call 0800-092-9702, the forcer’s non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.