Drugs worth £60,000 seized in raids

7:30pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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DRUGS with an estimated street value of £60,000 have been seized and five arrests made following a series of raids in Newcastle.

Over the weekend four warrants were executed at homes in the Newbiggin Hall Estate, Brunton Park and Scotswood areas by officers from Northumbria Police.

Wraps of cocaine and cannabis plants were seized during the raids, which saw three men, aged 23, 44 and 49, and two women, aged 37 and 39, arrested for a number of offences, including possession of cocaine and cultivation of cannabis.

Chief Inspector Mick Lillico said: "The enforcement action in Newcastle shows we're determined to put a stop to drug supply and use in our communities.

"We'll continue to act positively on information we receive from residents.

"However, our work doesn't end there. We support our partners, including Safe Newcastle, to ensure people brought to the attention of police who have a drug use problem receive the correct treatment to minimise their likelihood of reoffending."

Anyone arrested in Newcastle for offences that are related to drugs, such as burglary or theft, is drug-tested while in custody.

If their result is positive, they must meet a drugs worker to get them into treatment to break the cycle of drug use and crime.

Geoff Pooley, from Safe, Newcastle's Drug Support Unit, said: "Our relationship with the police has helped many individuals into treatment and reduced re-offending.

"This method of working with drug users who commit these types of crime has been very successful, with a 40 per cent reduction in arrests."