THE region's blitz on drugs has been stepped up with the arrest of 14 drug suspects in South Tyneside.

Local police, backed up by operational support officers and crime team detectives, raided a number of homes and recovered a large quantity of drugs yesterday.

Nine men and five women were arrested and were being held at police stations in the area for questioning.

Detective Inspector Peter Farrell, who led the operation, said that seven of the suspects were being held in relation to the alleged supply of heroin while the others were being held on other drug-related matters.

He said: "The raids were part of our continued efforts to combat people dealing in drugs, particularly heroin.

"This drug causes untold misery, not just in the North-East, but across the country.

"It is one of the most pernicious and destructive of drugs and we are determined to do everything possible to target anyone dealing in it."

The raids are the latest success in the force's drive against alleged drug dealers in the region.

Last week, 11 alleged heroin suppliers were arrested in the West End of Newcastle, while at the weekend detectives raided two houses in Wallsend and recovered cannabis, amphetamine and Ecstasy worth more than £2m.