POLICE working on one of a county’s largest drugs probes have seized cocaine worth £800,000.

Officers recovered the haul – totalling 2.5kg of an extremely pure form of the drug – in three operations against organised drugs gangs across County Durham over the past week.

The actions were part of an 18-month Durham Police operation, which included undercover investigations, and officers are pursuing individuals they believe have benefited from selling the drugs.

In December, £500,000 of cocaine allegedly destined for Darlington was seized following raids on addresses in the town and in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The ten-kilo haul was the largest single recovery of cocaine ever seen in County Durham and led to four arrests.

The latest drugs seized are thought to have been destined for east Durham.

About £22,500 worth of cocaine was recovered when police stopped a vehicle in Durham city centre.

Police did not reveal where the rest of the cocaine was discovered.

In addition, cannabis worth £600,000 has also been seized and a number of arrests made.

Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin, of Durham Police, said the drugs had the potential to cause serious harm to the people of County Durham.

He said: “These are very dangerous drugs. They lead to addiction and all kinds of social problems result.

“The implications are vast and we’re picking up the pieces every day.”

Det Supt Malkin said he was very pleased with the latest raids, predicted more could follow and said the public should be reassured the police were making every effort to stop organised crime.

Two men, a 31-year-old from Shotton and a 44-year-old from West Rainton, both County Durham, appeared before Peterlee Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with supplying and intending to supply Class A drugs. Both were remanded in custody.