FIVE people have been arrested, including a 16-year-old, after police carried out a number of drugs raid in Stockton today.

Suspected drugs, cash and weapons were seized by police after warrants were executed across the town.

Officers carried out warrants at addresses on Mellor Street, Bowesfield Lane, Dixon Street and Londonderry Road in an operation to disrupt class A drugs supply named ‘Operation Vertigo’.

Police recovered a machete, two baseball bats and a zombie knife during the course of the operation and a large amount of cash.

Suspected cannabis, suspected heroin and suspected crack cocaine was also seized.

Two males aged 16 and 51 were arrested on suspicion of possession of class B drugs at an address on Mellor Street.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property at an address on Bowesfield Lane and two males aged 20 and 36 were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug at an address on Londonderry Road.

The 20 year old man from Londonderry Road has now been released on bail pending further enquiries. No arrests were made at an address on Dixon Street. Sergeant Mark Doherty, from Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team, led the operation.

He said: “I would first of all like to thank the local community for their assistance in coming forward with information.

"This assists us greatly and coupled with intelligence-led policing, helps us in taking suspected drugs off the streets of Stockton.

“Today’s operation will hopefully show that information from the public is acted upon.

"We will seek to take enforcement action wherever possible in order to stop drugs supplies and stop the misery caused for communities by those peddling drugs in the local area.”