FIVE men have been arrested and drugs worth £175,000 recovered in a day of drugs raids executed at two addresses on Teesside.

Officers from the Community Drugs Enforcement Team recovered cropped plants worth an estimated £13,000, plus other plants believed to be cannabis in the loft of an address on Cromer Street in Middlesbrough.

Police then recovered 192 plants at an address on Cheltenham Avenue in Thornaby, near Stockton, with a value of around £162,000.

As part of the raids, officers from the CDET also recovered a camouflage crossbow, knives and bats from the addresses.

Four men aged 22, 23, 24 and 32 were arrested and have since been charged with production of cannabis. 

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a class B drug, but was released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Anyone who may have information regarding drugs activity in their area, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

  • The 22, 23, 24 and 32-year-old men, are due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court later today.