TWO houses in east Durham were raided yesterday afternoon as part of a campaign to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs.

At about 2pm, officers executed a magistrate's search warrant at a terrace house in James Street North, Murton, where they recovered an amount of white powder, a quantity of pills and a block of cannabis resin.

The pills and the powder are to tested in a laboratory to confirm they are ecstasy and cocaine.

Three men at the address, whose ages range from 17 to 21, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

Immediately after their arrest, a second house, in nearby Toft Crescent, was also raided and a dozen cannabis plants, each with a potential value of £1,000 were found in a bedroom cupboard.

The room had been rigged out with high-powered lamps.

A man in his early 20s was arrested and, as in the case of the other three, he is in custody at Peterlee police station where he was being questioned last night.

The ongoing operation is codenamed Zoolander and Inspector Gary Fraser said: "The action in Murton was part of our continuing efforts to target those who deal in illegal substances.

"We will always respond to concerns raised by the community and further operations will be taking place.''