Arrests after drugs raids across Darlington and County Durham

A series of early morning raids were carried out as part of a major police operation to target drugs gangs who prey on vulnerable people in Darlington and County Durham.

Between Monday (October 3) and Friday (October 7) officers arrested 19 people, confiscated approximately £31,000 in cash, seized tens of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine, and dozens of MDMA tablets.

They also safeguarded eight vulnerable people, including five children aged between three and 12.

Officers smashing door a down during the raids in suspected 'county lines' gangs (Image: The Northern Echo)

Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “This operation involved months of diligent and complex intelligence gathering by officers in Darlington, which has resulted in a series of successful coordinated strikes against those who seek to profit from the misery of others.

Read more: Drugs, cash and weapons seized during early morning raids across the North East

“We have not only arrested those believed to be responsible for large-scale drug dealing in Darlington and beyond, but disrupted their criminal networks and seized their laptops, mobile phones, weapons, cars, and jewellery bought with their profits.

“Most importantly though, we have safeguarded eight innocent and vulnerable people – including five young children – who were present at addresses where there was evidence of frequent drug use.”

Some of the drugs seized during the raids (Image: The Northern Echo)

Steroids and drug dealing paraphernalia were also recovered, as well as several suspected stolen e-bikes, weapons, two cars, and a number of pieces of high value jewellery and watches suspected of being purchased using money from drug dealing.

The week-long operation formed part of a national crackdown on county lines – a form of exploitation in which criminals groom and manipulate children and other vulnerable people into drug dealing.

Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team (Image: The Northern Echo)

He added: “Safeguarding vulnerable people is a vital tool in the fight against county lines and we rely on intelligence from members of the public to help us do this.

“If you know of a vulnerable person who may be involved in county lines, or you simply see something that doesn’t look right, then please report it so we can act on it.”

Call 999 if a person is in immediate danger, or 101 if it does not require an immediate response.

Alternatively, you can remain anonymous by reporting intelligence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Read next:

• What are county lines? The drug networks exploiting vulnerable people across the North East
• Arrests made across North Yorkshire as police launch drugs crackdown
• 30 suspected members of drug gangs cause during raids in North East town