SIX people have been arrested following drug raids in Stockton on Tuesday morning.

Addresses on Parliament Street, Bickersteth Walk and Yarm Road in the Parkfield estate were targeted in Operation Hydra, aimed at disrupting the supply of class A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin.

Three men aged 25, 25 and 39 and two women aged 28 and 39 were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and two counts of possession of a firearm during a raid at an address on Yarm Road.

Small amounts of suspected crack cocaine and heroin were recovered from the address, alongside a taser disguised as a torch and incapacitant spray.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft at an address on Bickersteth Walk. He was charged and remanded to court in connection with the alleged theft of a hot tub.

Inspector Mark Doherty said: "These addresses have been identified through information we have received from the community.

"We're executing drug warrants today to find out what people have got in these addresses and what their involvement is in that trade."

The Northern Echo:

Police carry out a raid at an address in Bickersteth Walk in Stockton. Picture: Georgia Banks

"I can't emphasis enough how much community intelligence and information from the public supports operations like this.

“If anyone has information on drugs activity in their local area, they can call police on 101 or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

"We'd like to send a message of support out to the community that we do listen and we will act on the intelligence we get."