SUSPECTED cocaine worth several thousand pounds has been seized by police, in an ongoing war against drug dealers.

A total of 32g of the substance, thought to be a particularly pure form of the Class A drug, was recovered during a raid on a property on Ellesmere Drive, in Eastlea, Seaham.

Up to 1, 400 blue valium tablets thought to be from South-East Asia, 200 pills of the stimulant Ephedrine, £1,000 in cash and a further 72 wraps of suspected cocaine was also found.

Police used a drugs dog during the operation, which also involved searching a Peugeot van.

The raid was carried out at about 4.45pm on Friday, June 19.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs.

A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene and a woman in her 30s was arrested on Sunday, June 21. Both have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police also raided a home on James Street North, in Murton, seizing six wraps of cocaine, each worth up to £40, and a small chunk of cannabis. The operation was carried out on Friday, June 19, at about 2pm.

A 21-year-old man was arrested, questioned at Peterlee police station and given a caution.

The raids follow others in east Durham earlier this month in which cannabis, cash and equipment associated with the production of drugs was recovered.

Inspector Vince Addison, of Seaham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is daily and weekly business for us.

"I want to offer reassurance to the community that where they work with us, where they have information, we will deliver - as we have done over the last few weeks. "We are making a difference.

"Where we encounter drug dealers, we will put them out of business. Where we encounter drug users we will signpost them towards the Drug and Alcohol Action Team and the Easington Substance Misuse Initiative, because we know drugs can destroy families.

"We will continue to wage war on drug dealers, but we can’t do it on our own. It’s the community that gives us the help. I want to thank them for the help they have given us.

"We will continue to deliver on our promises."