SEVENTEEN people have been arrested and drugs with an estimated street value of more than £1,600 seized in a number of police raids.

Heroin, amphetamines, a "significant quantity of cannabis", drugs paraphernalia and £1,000 in cash were recovered in raids on 26 addresses in Middlesbrough, between 4am on Monday and 4am yesterday.

Twelve men and five women were arrested for possession of drugs and possession with intent to supply drugs.

Three of them are being held in custody, four were charged with drugs offences, two have been released on police bail pending further inquiries, while five others received formal cautions for possession of drugs.

No further action will be taken against three others.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland police said dozens of officers, including specialist search teams, executed 26 warrants, half of which produced positive results.

She said: "In addition, police have received good intelligence from members of the public, which will be followed up."

The police raids marked the start of a "seize a dealer a day" operation launched by Cleveland police on Teesside.

"Further activity can be expected daily," the spokeswoman said.