A SERVING police officer has been charged with misconduct as part of an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs.

Ten other people have also been charged with conspiring to supply.

"Seven men and three women have been charged following a six-month investigation by the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) which saw the seizure of several kilos of high purity cocaine that has street value of over £1m," said a spokesman for Northumbria Police.

"Around £33,000 cash has been seized together with vehicles.

"Other assets, including several houses, have been identified and are subject to proceeds of crime applications.

"As well as the ten people charged with drugs offences, a Northumbria Police officer has been charged with misconduct in public office and another man with procuring that misconduct.

"The police constable has been suspended from duty since May of this year."

All 11 people will appear at Peterlee Magistrates court on January 9 2015.

Those charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs are:

Asa Dobbing, 35, of Ryhope Grange Court in Sunderland; Aidan Dobbing, 30, of Revelston Close, Doxford Park, Sunderland; Leanne Mariner, 31, of Bonners Raff in Sunderland; Jamie Lee Malloy, 25, of Saint Oswins Street in South Shields; April Ellen Hunter, 19, of Little Bedford Street in North Shields; Iain Potts, 27, of Cavendish Place in Sunderland; Kevin Dudley, 39, of Hadrian Road, Jarrow; Simon Peter Loomes, 40, of Windsor Road in Buckinghamshire; Victoria Carter, 24, of Saint Oswins Street in South Shields; Christopher Catchpole, 47, of Jack Lawson Terrace, Wheatley Hill, County Durham.

Gary Steven Christie, 40, of Silksworth Lane in Sunderland has been charged with misconduct in a public office.

Asa Dobbing has also been charged with Aid, Abet, Counsel or Procure Misconduct in Public Office.