A NORTH-East man has been arrested as part of a nation-wide crackdown on drugs ordered over the Internet.

The 41-year-old man from the Chester-le -Street area was one of 22 people arrested throughout the country suspected of purchasing Class A drugs over the Internet.

Operation Ismene was developed by the National Crime Squad (NCS) as a result of intelligence from an investigation carried out by the Louisiana branch of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The intelligence from the DEA was passed to police forces across the country who have been taking action over the last two weeks. A variety of synthetic drugs similar in nature to MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy, have been seized.

The DEA began their investigation in March after it was established the death of an American man was linked to an overdose from the drug 2-CI.

The drug was obtained from a website registered to a man in Las Vegas who was selling synthetic drugs on a worldwide basis.

Parcels containing 2-CI were imported into the UK using various courier services and the NCS conducted enquiries to corroborate the intelligence before passing on the information to police forces.

NCS Deputy Director General Jim Gamble said the NCS was committed to preventing illegal drug distribution and a supply route between the USA and the UK had now been dismantled.

He added: "The Internet has become the street corner for many drug users.

"This operation demonstrates our ability to respond to new crime trends and protect members of the public from harm.

"Action taken over the last few weeks will hopefully prevent further deaths and overdoses."

The drug 2-CI comes in a powder format and can divided into doses of varying strengths and can be mixed with liquid and swallowed, placed on blotting paper or included in tablet or capsule form.

The man from Chester-le-Street was arrested by Crime Squad officers and has been bailed pending further enquiries.