A BIG drugs raid was carried out by Cleveland Police on a number of houses in Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

The officers from Middlesbrough's operational support unit and community policing team carried out the raids and a sniffer dog was called in to assist them with the detailed searches.

A quantity of drugs including heroin and crack cocaine was found, together with some money.

Inspector Rob Donaghy, from the Community Policing Team, said: "These raids are a result of a long investigation into the activities of local dealers and we have traced their activities from St Hilda's to other parts of the town.

"Our police operation will continue in their fight in order to disrupt these drug dealers."

Four men and three women were arrested and were taken to Middlesbrough Police station for questioning.

Two of the women have since been released. One on police bail and the other unconditionally