THREE men have been arrested after raids on Teesside uncovered drugs with a street value of £21,000.

Officers from Cleveland Police, taking part Operation Sabre, also recovered £22,000 in cash following raids in Middlesbrough.

Four ounces of crack cocaine, two ounces of heroin and 200 ecstasy tablets were recovered from premises in Kensington Road.

A search team took several hours before the carefully hidden haul was discovered.

A raid at a house in Ayresome Park Road resulted in £22,000 in cash being seized from the loft, along with a large quantity of tin foil, cut into small squares and a small amount of a powder believed to be used to mix with drugs.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and handling stolen goods and was yesterday helping police with their inquiries.

The cash will be the subject of an application before the courts, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In a separate raid, a 32-year-old man was arrested for unlawful possession of two wraps of amphetamine.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Kelly, Cleveland Police's head of crime, said: "Operation Sabre is putting the fear of crime on the criminals of Cleveland.

"These operations will continue without let-up. Sabre will strike throughout Cleveland without any warning at any time. We know who the drug dealers and other criminals are and we are coming to get them."

In another drugs raid, in Langbaurgh, a 63-year-old man was arrested for possession with intent to supply after 700 ecstasy tablets, with a street value of £3,000 were recovered.