A MAJOR police operation to bring down county lines networks flooding the streets of the region with drugs has resulted in 26 arrests.
Officer seized large quantities of suspected Class A and Class B drugs, valued at more than £120,000, illicit tablets, drugs paraphernalia, cash, and potential weapons, as they rounded up members of suspected drug gangs.
More than 100 officers targeted 21 addresses over three days after spending more than a year identifying those believed to be involved in the supply of illegal drugs by preying on vulnerable young people.
Operation Burford launched on Monday morning but due to operational reasons we are only now allowed to report on the success of the three-days of raids.
Early morning calls were delivered to homes and properties across Stockton as Cleveland Police launched it clampdown on the problem, including raids a flat on Northcote Street, where one man was arrested, and a house on Bickersteph Walk, where a man and woman were arrested.
Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Page said: “The outcome of Operation Burford is the result of a lot of hard work by the Complex Exploitation Team at Cleveland Police.
“Officers have been working on the operation with the support of specialist regional colleagues since December 2020. It has been a complex and challenging investigation.
“These officers, along with the specialist support and other teams from across the Force, have all shown great tenacity to relentlessly pursue those individuals that are causing the most harm to our community.”
Following the first day of the operation, on Monday, March 7, eight men were charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs in connection with alleged drug offences in the Stockton area.
Other arrests included a 52-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman who were arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property at an address on Bickersteph Walk, Stockton. They were released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs. She has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A 35-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. She was released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A 35-year-old man was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs, in connection with alleged drug offences in the Thornaby area. He was remanded to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court On Tuesday, two men aged 33 and 44 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. They have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
And a further three men aged 24, 24 and 36, were arrested on suspicion of supply of Class A drugs. They were also released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supply of Class B drugs. He remains in police custody at this time.
Today (Wednesday, March 9), a man aged 50, and three women aged 33, 40 and 42 were arrested on suspicion of supply of Class A drugs. They remain in police custody at this time.
Two men aged 43 and 48 were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A dugs. They remain in police custody at this time.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and prison recall. He remains in police custody at this time.
The Force has worked with a number of partners, including NERSOU, the National Crime Agency, British Transport Police and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Social Services to address organised crime concerns in the area.
Detective Chief Superintendent John Bent, of Cleveland Police, added: “Operation Burford had a number of objectives, firstly to arrest those people involved in the exploitation of young people and drug dealing, and of course to safeguard the vulnerable people and children involved, some as young as 12.
“We have worked very closely with partners to ensure we are safeguarding those who have been exploited throughout this operation and ongoing plans are in place to continue with this.
“There is no place for any type of organised crime in Cleveland and we’re committed to tackling it. We would urge anyone with information on exploitation or illegal drug activity to report it.”
- If you are concerned about drug dealing in your area you can call Cleveland Police on 101 to report it or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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