EIGHT men have been before a packed court on drugs and firearms charges.

There was a full public gallery at Teesside Crown Court as the suspects from Operation Ecru appeared via a live video-link from prison.

Ecru took place in December and saw Cleveland Police raid addresses in Teesside, County Durham and Liverpool, and recover drugs, sawn-off shotguns, a revolver and ammunition.

Kieron Gittons, 26, of Tenth Street, Horden, and Daniel Smith, 26, from Morley Crescent, Kelloe, both County Durham, are accused of purchasing or acquiring a prohibited weapon – a disguised firearm.

Mark Oliphant, 42, of Cranbourne Terrace, Stockton, is charged with possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Michael Sinclair, 28, of Water Avens Way, Stockton, faces two counts of possessing a firearm without a certificate and three of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

Anthony Walker, 28, of Strafford Close, Thornaby, near Stockton, and Nathan Asquith, 28, of Ramsbury Avenue, Stockton, are accused of conspiracy to destroy or damage property.

Christopher Davis, 28, of Kesteven Road, Thornaby, is charged with possessing a prohibited firearm.

Joshua Conroy, 27, of Aln Walk, Newcastle, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession of a firearm without a certificate, conspiracy to damage property and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

They will return to court on June 1 and will be asked to enter pleas.