A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences as part of an investigation to stop class A drugs being imported into the North-East.

A 38-year-old from Darlington is being questioned by police after hundreds of suspected ecstasy tablets were found by Cleveland Police's Community Drug Enforcement Team.

The arrest was made yesterday as part of the investigation sparked following the seizure of a parcel by the UK Border Force which was found to contain controlled drugs.

A number of drugs raids followed, with warrants issued for properties in Pensbury Street, Darlington, and Commerce Way, in Middlesbrough.

Evidence was seized at both addresses and the investigation is ongoing.

Cleveland Police's Detective Inspector Tony Cross said: “Our local warrants led to the discovery of hundreds of tablets, suspected to be ecstasy.

"By working with national partners, including the UK Border Force, we have been able to disrupt the supply of drugs to this area and avoid the associated criminal activity.”