DRUGS with an estimated street value of £2.8m were seized by a North-East police force in 2018.

Cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines, cocaine and crack cocaine were among the suspected substances uncovered by Cleveland Police officers last year.

The force’s Community Drug Enforcement Team also seized £30,000 during drugs raids and the execution of warrants.

Investigations throughout 2018 led to recovery of drugs said to be worth £2,930,845 across Teesside.

A spokeswoman for the force said that officers found more than 700 plants at a cannabis farm in Hartlepool last January and a haul worth £680,000 in Stockton in October.

They also seized 600 MDMA tablets from a Stockton property in September, a find that saw a man arrested and later released under investigation.

DS Max Leonard said: “Drug recoveries are largely down to intelligence-led policing and members of the public can assist with this.

“They are our eyes and ears within the communities which we serve and any intelligence we receive, we will act upon.

“We are very thankful for the public’s support when they come forward with information.”

DS Leonard also warned landlords and letting agents to be aware of criminals attempting to use properties to create cannabis farms.

He said: “We have found in some investigations that the people taking out tenancy agreements never actually live at the address, instead someone – sometimes a human trafficking victim - is forced to live and work in the unpleasant and dangerous conditions within the cannabis production. Landlords and agencies need to be wary and carry out sufficient checks when letting properties.”

Anyone who believes there is drug-related activity in their area is urged to contact police on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111