SUSPECTED drug dealers have been arrested in a number of dawn raids to crackdown on the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in Newcastle.

On Wednesday morning officers from Northumbria Police executed three warrants in Elswick, Kenton and Denton Burn after receiving intelligence about the supply of Class A drugs.

The activity came as part of Operation Sentinel which is aimed at cracking down on suspected organised crime groups operating across the region.

During the raids entry was forced at properties on Greenside Crescent, Britannia Place and Kirkwood Drive.

Two men have been arrested as part of the investigation and thousands of pounds worth of cash and drugs were seized by police. Two other suspects have also been interviewed under caution.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Pitt, of Northumbria Police, has today said the Force remains committed to putting a dent in the pockets of organised criminals.

He said: “These warrants are the result of a significant amount of police work and intelligence received from within our community.

“Thanks to information supplied by you we have been able to identify a number of individuals we believed to be involved in a network of organised crime.

“We have put a dent in the pockets of suspected drug dealers while ensuring we can provide support to those vulnerable users who they prey upon.

“Activity like this shows we won’t allow this kind of illicit activity to continue unchallenged and I hope that reassures residents across Newcastle.

“Cash, drugs and paraphernalia has been seized this week and more raids will take place as part of Operation Sentinel response.

“We remain committed to using all available partnership powers at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal activity so we can keep our communities safe.”

The two men arrested – aged 54 and 27– have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Operation Sentinel is a joined up initiative between Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland and the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU). It aims to disrupt serious and organised crime on a regional level.

Anyone who wants to report information about organised crime can do so online at the Northumbria Police website, by calling 101 or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.