A CANNABIS farm worth an estimated £35,000 has been uncovered in a series of raids designed to target a criminal gang which manufactures crack cocaine and deals in Class A drugs.

More than 140 officers from Cleveland Police carried out simultaneous raids on ten properties in a small area of Stockton at around 6pm this evening.

So far, six arrests have been made in connection with offences including possession of suspected drugs, possession of criminal property, possession of fraudulent documents and immigration offences.

The cannabis farm was uncovered at an address on Yarm Lane.

A small amount of suspected drugs, believed to be Class A and Class B have also been seized whilst trading standards officers from Stockton Borough Council are also checking a haul of suspected counterfeit tobacco.

The raids involved ten properties, including three commercial premises, in a small geographical area around Stockton town centre.

These also included properties in Prince Regent Stree, and Bishopton Lane, where two men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

Police said the organised crime gang targeted involved several different nationalities who had been dealing drugs and had been “causing misery” to residents living nearby.

Temporary Superintendent Jason Dickson, commander of the operation, codenamed Scarlet, said: “We are tackling an organised crime group in Stockton who were dealing in Class A drugs and causing misery to the community.

“They are causing that many problems that families won’t allow their children to play outside.

“Even if we didn’t find anything, this still would be a successful operation because it is about disruption. It will send a very clear message to our communities that if they report criminality, we will do something about it. We will not tolerate these people dealing drugs and causing all the associated crime and anti-social behaviour that that brings.”

He said the group had been involved in some violent incidents against other dealers in the Stockton area.

Raids were carried out on ten properties, including three commercial premises, in a small geographical area around Stockton town centre, including the Yarm Lane area, Prince Regent Street, and Bishopton Lane, where two men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

Alongside the police, immigration officials and trading standards were involved, as well as Cleveland Fire Brigade who were on hand in case dangerous chemicals were found in any makeshift crack cocaine factories. They also checked properties to make sure they were complaint with regulations.

Chief Inspector Marc Anderson said: “This is to show that police are taking action in the communities where people are concerned. The public want to know that we are doing something to tackle these problems. This was a large operation and was very much about disrupting this group.

“Hopefully this is sending a message out that if you deal drugs in Stockton, we will come after you.”

He said inquiries were ongoing about the large cannabis farm which was recovered.