A WOMAN was caught cutting up £1,500 worth of crack cocaine as police launched a concerted effort to clear the streets of Teesside of the scourge of drugs.

Drug dealers are being targeted across the Cleveland force area and last night a fleet of vans with specialist drugs officers and sniffer dogs set off to send out a strong message to the public.

A new squad co-ordinated six raids on the addresses of suspected drug dealers in Stockton and Grangetown armed with detailed information and search warrants.

By 8pm, three arrests had been made and a quantity of narcotics seized.

The man leading the clampdown, Inspector Gary Gamesby, of the newly-formed Central Support Unit, said the raids had delivered good results with two arrests for possession with intent to supply and one for not answering to bail for drugs charges.

Detective Sergeant Mick Knapper, of the Langbaurgh drugs unit, said: "People in the area supply all types of drugs. The people we have targeted are the people who cause problems on these estates."

The raids are a continuation of Operation Sabre, which has resulted in more than 240 arrests since its launch.

Chief Constable Sean Price said the new unit had proved its effectiveness within hours of hitting the streets.

"They will mainly tackle people who are dealing in drugs," he said.

"These are individuals who are frequently identified to us by the public who wonder why no action is immediately taken, but it does take time to build a case and gather the evidence needed to put before the courts."

Mr Price added: "Last night's operation is just a taste of what is to come. There are numerous others planned for throughout the year."