FIVE people are this morning in custody after being arrested during a major drugs raid in a County Durham pub last night.
More than 80 police officers, some in riot gear, took part in the raid at Hogan's pub in Bishop Auckland at about 7pm.
The swoop was the culmination of a five-month intelligence gathering operation, codenamed Italic. The operation lasted several hours and included the closing down of part of the main shopping street,
Newgate Street. There was a second raid at a flat in nearby Flintoft Street. About 60 drinkers were kept in the pub for more than an hour while the raid took place.
Police recovered substances believed to be controlled drugs, which have now been sent for analysis by the forensic science service in Weatherby. No charges will be brought until the substances have been identified.
The five arrested men were aged between 20 and 40 and all are from the Bishop Auckland area. They are expected to be released on police bail later today.
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