Suspicious chemicals found at hotel (From The Northern Echo)

Suspicious chemicals found at hotel

7:28pm Friday 10th September 2010 in

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SUSPICIOUS chemicals were discovered when police visited a town centre hotel.

Officers made the discovery when they were alerted by management at the Thistle Hotel on Fry Street in Middlesbrough at around 4pm on Wednesday.

But police have said it is not being treated as a terrorist incident at present but investigations are continuing into the nature of the recovered chemicals.

As a result of the raid a number of addresses across Middlesbrough were also raided and seven people arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs. They have since been released without charge.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "Officers have recovered a number of chemicals in a suitcase. There are a number of potential uses for these chemicals, including perfectly legitimate uses, but they could also be used in drug production.

"The chemicals were described as stable but toxic. "There was never any danger to staff or residents at the Thistle Hotel but Fire Brigade assistance was required to identify the chemicals and to identify any further unknown substances that could have been discovered during searches.

"We are continuing enquiries into whether any criminal offences have been committed but all seven people arrested have been released without charge.

"This is not being treated as a terrorist incident at present."

A spokeswoman for the hotel said: "Thistle Hotel Middlesbrough can confirm that police were called to the hotel on Wednesday, September 8, after a guest alerted hotel staff to the discovery that had taken place within their hotel room.

"Staff immediately involved the relevant authorities and are continuing to assist them with their investigations. The safety and comfort of our guests is our number one priority."

Six of the arrested people were from the Middlesbrough area and are aged 18-years-old, 19-years-old, 23-years-old, 24-years-old, 30-years-old and 31-years-old. The seventh man is a 21-year-old from the Stoke area. All have been released without charge.