POLICE have excuted an early morning drugs raid at three addresses following intelligence supplied to the force.

At around 7.30am on Friday, August 16, more than 30 police officers raided three houses on Johnson Street, Dent Street and Cornwall Street in Hartlepool.

The drugs raid took place this morning Video: JIM SCOTT

On Cornwall Street, a 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs, while police recovered cannabis from the house.

On Johnson Street, a 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply Class B drugs.

At the address, police recovered amphetamine, cannabis and drugs paraphernalia.

Nobody was in when officers raided a third address on Dent Street but police found and recovered drugs paraphernalia.

A man and a woman both staying at the address on Johnson Street have since been evicted. 

Cleveland Police chief constable said the drugs raid were 'responding to concerns' Video: JIM SCOTT

Cleveland Police chief constable Richard Lewis said: "One of the issues we're particularly interested in is supplying, and premises closed as a result of that.

"But it isn't just the drug use and drug dealing, it is the anti-social behaviour that residents see and feel every single day around those premises that we are now trying to deal with."

Chief Constable Lewis said the drugs raids were in response to community concerns.

He said: "We have a number of people who provide us with information about drug use and dealing in Hartlepool, and when that happens it is important that the community see this is the result of it.

"We put doors in early in the morning and this is how we respond to it. 

"If there are residents seeing what were doing that is a good thing because they see we are responding to the wider concerns.

"This is part of a wider campaign, not just by police but with other partners such as Health, to eradicate the scourge of drug dealing in Hartlepool."

  • The 50-year-old man and 47-year-old woman are currently in custody.