Drugs and cash found when police raid house in Sunderland

Officers raided a property in the Thornhill area of Sunderland at about 8.30am on Wednesday, July 1 after receiving intelligence suggesting it was associated with drug misuse and supply.

Specialist search teams, assisted by Police Dog Colin, swooped on Azalea Terrace South, and searched every room in the address.

They found a significant stash of Class A and Class C drugs.

The discovered a needle that had been loaded with heroin and a large quantity of Methadone, Gabentin and other tablets.

More than £2,200 in cash was also located inside the address which was subsequently seized, with the money suspected to be linked with serious and organised crime across Wearside.

A 47-year-old man and 51-year-old woman were both arrested on suspicion of drug possession and taken into custody.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said the pair have since been released under investigation with enquiries ongoing.

PC Kim Wright, who coordinated the raid, said: “We have done a lot of work over the past few weeks as part of a wider investigation into suspected drug misuse and supply across Sunderland city centre.

“Following intelligence received about suspected criminality associated with this address, we executed an early-morning warrant and arrested two people that were inside.

“Officers – who were ably assisted by a specialist detection dog – were then able to uncover a significant quantity of illegal drugs, tablets and more than £2,200 in cash. All of these items have been seized and will assist with our ongoing enquiries.

“We will continue to take positive action against drug supply across the region under the banner of Operation Sentinel and look to dent the pockets of organised criminals.”

Anyone concerned about drug-dealing or drug misuse in their area is encouraged to contact Northumbria Police on 101 or by using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force's website.