POLICE made a rare find during a “steak out”. 

Four officers made a meaty recovery during a raid on a house in Sunderland as part of an ongoing operation.

Large amounts of suspected stolen steak, cheese plus champagne and spirits were recovered from a property in Bambro Street.

Officers executed six search warrants during pre-planned operations yesterday (Thursday, August 7), as part of ongoing investigations into drug use and supply, and connected theft and handling offences.

The activity is part of Northumberland Police's Operation Soundwave, aimed at tackling those suspected of being involved in theft - including shoplifting - and burglary.

The warrants were carried out at Gilhurst Grange, Tatham Street, Claremont Terrace, Bambro Street, Somerset Street and Selbourne Street.

More than £2,000 in cash was recovered alongside a substantial quantity of heroin and smaller amounts of cannabis resin.

In addition, 25 bottles of spirits and champagne worth around £650, a large quantity of steak and bacon worth around £150 and £50's worth of cheese were recovered during the operation. Also seized were computers and mobile phones.

Nine people were arrested during the raids - men aged 36, 34, 30, 28 and 25 and a woman aged 27 - on suspicion of being concerned in the offer to supply class A drugs.

A woman aged 31 and a man aged 35 were arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen goods. They have all been bailed pending further inquiries.

Sunderland Area Command Superintendent Alan Veitch said: "As well as drugs and cash officers seized unusually large amounts of meat and alcohol from one address and inquiries are ongoing to trace any potential victims linked to these finds.

"Drug supply is known to be linked to other types of acquisitive crimes such as shoplifting, theft and burglary - and there's no place for it in our communities.

"We're committed to taking action against those we suspect to be involved in such activity - who often target and take advantage of the most vulnerable in our communities.

"As part of Operation Soundwave, regular operations such as this are taking place to silence criminals and I'd like to reassure people activity is ongoing to ensure Sunderland remains a safe city."

A 50-year-old man is due to appear at Sunderland Magistrates' Court today charged with conspiracy to supply heroin.

Anyone who has information about criminal activity in their neighbourhood should contact police on 101 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.