ONE of five men arrested during a pub raid in Bishop Auckland last weekend has been charged with a serious drugs offence.

The man, who is in his twenties, and lives in the town, had been held overnight at Bishop Auckland police station after 80 police raided Hogan's bar, Newgate Street, on Friday, November 23.

A flat in Flintoff Street was also raided in the operation, codenamed Italica, which took five months to plan.

He faced further questioning on Thursday before being charged with possessing the controlled drug Ecstasy, with intent to supply.

He was released on bail and is due to appear before magistrates on Wednesday.