POLICE investigating an alleged North-East drug ring have arrested one of their own detectives.

The female police officer was among three people arrested during co-ordinated raids carried out in the Durham City area last week.

It is understood that one of the two men arrested was the officer's boyfriend.

The 25-year-old, a detective constable with Durham Constabulary and based at Southern Area Command, has been suspended while the investigation continues.

The raids, which took place last Thursday, follow a lengthy intelligence-gathering operation. It is understood that the investigation centres on the supply of cocaine in the Durham area.

The first raid took place in Brandon, a former pit village on the outskirts of Durham City, at about 7am.

Neighbours in the quiet street were shocked when police cars turned up to carry out the raid.

One witness said: "There were loads of police. They didn't smash the door in or anything, they knocked and were let into the house, but they had sniffer dogs and they searched everywhere.

"They even turned the garden over.

"It isn't something you expect to see happening."

A 24-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He is thought to be the partner of the detective, who had been a visitor to the house on a number of occasions.

The detective was arrested later that day at a house elsewhere in the village.

Officers then moved three miles away to the village of Bearpark, where a man, aged 30, was arrested during a further raid.

It is understood there were no drugs at any of the three properties.

The three people arrested were all questioned then released later the same day on police bail.

All three are expected to answer their bail in the autumn.

Last night, a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: "Officers executed a search warrant at a house in Brandon early last Thursday and arrested a 24-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

"Later that morning, a 25-year-old woman was arrested at a separate address in the village and a 30-year-old man was arrested at a house in Bearpark.

"All three were interviewed and then released on police bail until mid-September pending further inquiries.

"We can confirm that the woman arrested is a serving police officer based in the south area of Durham Constabulary.

"In accordance with standard procedures, she has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation."