DRUGS squad officers seized £100,000 in used bank notes and £125,000 worth of heroin in a series of dawn raids in the North-East on Saturday.

They executed warrants at three houses in Stockton where they found the money, while 1.25kg of the class A drug was discovered at a car in the Park Road area of the town.

Detective Constable Warren Shepherd said: "This is a good recovery of heroin and cash involving a number of different units from Stockton police.

"In all, 20 officers were involved and this is believed to be the largest recovery of cash made by Stockton police.

"There was enough heroin to provide 12,500 deals on the street. We are over the moon with the result and will continue to take similar action in the future to prevent these addictive drugs from reaching the street."

Four men, aged 27, 29, 31 and 38, and a 34-year-old woman were arrested and have been released on police bail pending forensic tests on the money.

On Saturday, Cleveland Police applied to Teesside magistrates for authorisation to detain the money under the proceeds of crime law.