DETECTIVES last night hailed a major success in the region's war on drugs after a series of dawn raids involving more than 400 police.

Officers wearing riot gear entered homes across Darlington yesterday morning.

The swoops marked the culmination of Operation: Karaman - a 14-month undercover investigation designed to disrupt the supply of hard drugs into towns and villages across the region.

By last night, 16 people were being questioned by police as senior officers congratulated themselves on striking a blow against drugs dealers.

During the lengthy investigation, officers went undercover to gather evidence, buying drugs with a street value of £150,000 in a bid to uncover suppliers.

Last night, they warned that anyone convicted of dealing faced not just a lengthy prison sentence but the seizure of their assets.

The raids were carried out with assistance from the Regional Assets Recovery Team, based in Leeds.

Officers hope the courts will order the seizure of goods bought with the profits from illegal drugs. Dealers could lose their cars and homes.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who led the operation, said: "This is a day we have looked forward to. We are not naive enough to think that another organisation or gang won't be taking over this group's business, but the message to those people is that we will keep breaking this down and taking out the dealers.

"This is about breaking up drugs organisations and the criminal lifestyle they have had.

"This is why we have brought in specialists to look into their assets. It is important that they get a custodial sentence, but a bigger message is sent to these people by hitting them where it hurts - in the pocket.

"We are looking to strip them of those assets which have come from earnings from dealing drugs."

Twelve men and one woman, mainly in their 20s and 30s, were arrested in the raids at four premises on the Firthmoor estate, in Darlington, two properties in the Cockerton area. There were also arrests at Hurworth Moor, Harrowgate, Station Road, Haughton Road and Duke Street. Properties at Merrybent, near Darlington, and Yarm were also raided.

Three more men, all local and aged 39, 25 and 17, were being questioned by detectives in the town last night.

One was arrested at his workplace, another at his home and the third handed himself in to police.

Specialist teams are carrying out detailed searches of the 20 houses targeted.

Paul Davison, Darlington Primary Care Trust's assistant director for health improvement, welcomed the raids.

He said: "The success of this operation is very good news in the fight to reduce drug dependency in Darlington.

"We are aware that this will result in the need for additional support for people whose drug supply has been cut and we will be working with local drug treatment services through Darlington Drug and Alcohol Action Team to ensure that this support is available."

The group is also believed to have been involved in selling counterfeit goods, such as fake Rolex watches, designer sunglasses and handbags.

Durham Police's south area commander, Chief Superintendent Michael Banks, said: "Drug dealing creates fear in communities and today we have demonstrated in these raids that we aim to provide the public with reassurance that we are taking drug dealers out of their communities."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn welcomed the raids. He said: "Drugs are a real menace and the success of this operation is an important part of reassuring the public that the streets are safe and decent, law-abiding citizens are being protected."