Police vow to continue with crackdown on drug dealers

Traffickers in narcotics have been given the message by Stockton Police Commander, Chief Superintendent John Tough, whose officers have seized more than £1m worth of drugs in less than two years - and made hundreds of arrests.

Chief Supt Tough said: "By the end of the month we expect prison sentences totalling more than 100 years to have been imposed on dealers arrested in Stockton and taken before the courts.''

"We have a simple message for those involved in the drugs trade.

"We can guarantee that at some stage they will be arrested, convicted and given a substantial prison sentence.

"We know who they are, we are coming for them."

Cleveland Police say intelligence led repeated raids by a five-strong dedicated team of detectives has severely disrupted the supply of drugs across the area.

Besides the haul of drugs with a street value of £1,019,669, officers have seized cash and vehicles ranging from family hatchbacks to BMWs and Mercedes worth more than £275,000.

They have executed more than 400 search warrants and arrested more than 420 people.

Chief Supt Tough said there will be no hiding place for dealers - or any let up in the war against drugs.

"Our policy will be to hit them hard and continue to hit them hard.

"Our drugs unit has shown a lot of dedication and commitment and it has paid handsome dividends," he said.

"Success breeds success.

"The people of Stockton realise we are having an impact and as a result are coming forward with information about drugs activities in their communities.

"We want this to continue."

He is urging residents of Stockton to keep up the flow of information on drug dealing to the police - and to be patient.

Chief Supt Tough said: "Our work takes time.

"It takes time to prepare and to gather all the evidence we need before we strike.

"From our successes over the past two years this format has proved correct and effective and it will continue.

"There is no room for drug dealers on the streets of Stockton."