STUN guns, drugs, knuckle dusters and pepper spray canisters were amongst the illegal goods seized after parcels destined for Cleveland were intercepted.

A number of people have been arrested following the joint operation between Cleveland Police Community Drug Enforcement Team and Border Force.

Border force officers based at international postal hubs at Heathrow and Coventry seized packages before they were handed over to Cleveland Police who took enforcement action.

As a result of the operation, a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply Class B drugs after police intercepted a parcel containing around £6,000 of cannabis. The woman from Redcar was bailed pending further investigation.

Detective Inspector Christian Ellis, from Cleveland Police’s community drug enforcement team, said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners to address those who continue to flout the law by believing they can hide behind the virtual world to get their hands on illegal items.

“The message is simple; if you buy an item from abroad and it’s illegal in the UK, Border Force will tell us and we will be knocking on your door.”

A 20-year-old man from Marske was also arrested as part of the clampdown and he was cautioned for importing two stun guns. The guns have since been destroyed by police.

While a 54-year-old woman from Stockton was spoken to after importing two pepper sprays and a 31-year-old man from Redcar was also given words of advice after importing a knuckle duster.

Assistant director (CORR) Ria Baxendale, head of Border Force postal operations, said: “Our officers are on the front line of the fight to stop illegal drugs, weapons and other contraband entering the UK. That means having officers carrying out checks at the UK’s international postal hubs as well as ports and airports.

“We work closely with the police and if you try to import something that is illegal you can expect action to be taken against you.”

Anyone with information on the importation of illegal items or drug dealing can call the community drug enforcement team on 0800-092-9702 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.