Investigations are continuing after a suspected firearm and other “components” were seized from a County Durham property.

Armed police stormed a residential flat and business on Front Street, in Esh Winning, to execute a “pre-planned” warrant on June 5. 

Residents reported how the home was put “under siege” - with crime scene investigators donning white suits later probing the scene behind blue and white police tape. 

Police have since seized over £140,000 from two people in connection with the raids carried out. 

Searches were carried out at the property for several hours and officers "removed a number of items for further analysis." Police were also spotted nearby using drones. 

Two men and a woman were arrested during the initial search operation - and the three individuals were later bailed pending further enquiries. 

The cordon remained in place over 24 hours after the initial raid, where several police vehicles and a van from Durham County Council were also present.

Durham Constabulary has now confirmed that the probe remains ongoing. 


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Pictures taken on June 5 showed armed officers dressed in black beside a door on the street while several force vehicles blocked off the road. 

The force said last week that due to the conditions found inside the premises, police had “ urgently reported the situation to the appropriate environmental health authorities for a decision on potential enforcement action."

Details on the conditions found inside the property have yet to be revealed.