CLEVELAND Police has revealed that it has seized more than £2.5m worth of drugs and cash last year.

Cash totalling £85,350 plus drugs with an estimated street value of £2,416.804.00 were taken from the hands of criminals by the force’s Community Drugs Enforcement Team.

Almost 40 people were arrested during the 12 month period and weapons including a knuckleduster, a baton and samurai sword were also seized throughout 2016.

Inspector Tony Cross, from Cleveland Police’s community drugs enforcement team, said: “The success of the team is primarily down to intelligence-led policing and the help and support we receive from the public who come forward with information which helps us to do our jobs.

“I would always urge the public to contact us with this information. In seizing more than £2.5m in drugs and cash, the public can see that we are acting on their information and we are doing all that we can to rid the streets of Cleveland of drugs and the associated crime and antisocial behaviour that comes with it.

“We will continue working with partner agencies in order to reduce the supply of drugs, decrease harm to our communities and reduce the criminal gains of offenders who are distributing drugs on our streets.”

Among the operations suspected drugs estimated to be worth around £7,500 were found hidden in a wardrobe and a loft in a property in Billingham on Sunday, January 31 2016. A man and woman were arrested in connection with this.

In April, suspected cocaine and cannabis estimated to be worth around £70,000 were recovered from a vehicle on the A19 and a 30-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident.

Also, in September last year, suspected cannabis worth £150,000 was recovered from a vehicle on the A19 close to the Portrack interchange. Two males were charged and remanded into custody in connection with the incident.

In July and December, a total of more than £2.5m in drugs were burnt at an incinerator in Cleveland, including cannabis plants, crack cocaine, heroin and amphetamine.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger, said: “The achievements of the Community Drugs Enforcement Team are regularly praised at the local meetings I attend.

“Residents value the dedication and commitment of our officers, which I have seen first-hand, who work diligently and professionally to tackle drug dealing and I thank them for their valuable work.”