Police seized vehicles, drugs and weapons and arrested suspected human traffickers during a day of targeted activity in Hartlepool.

On Monday (August 1) Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners raided three properties in the area and seized four vehicles for no insurance.

Several weapons were also seized along with more than 21,000 counterfeit cigarettes, around £200,000 worth of cannabis and associated drug growing equipment worth around £30,000 was also recovered.

Three men were arrested and one teenage boy was made safe by officers.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, production of cannabis and false imprisonment.

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They have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and traffic offences.

Inspector Zoe Kelsey, from Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I would like to thank all the different agencies who came together to work in partnership with Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team during this operation.

“We have disrupted suspected organised criminals from alleged illegal activity including producing and distributing drugs and exploiting young people.

"This type of activity causes major disruption and has a significant financial impact on organised criminals.

“Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to target organised criminals in order to help make Hartlepool an enjoyable and safe place for everyone.”

The activity was supported by officers from the National Crime Agency, North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, Hartlepool Borough Council Trading Standards, Cleveland Fire Brigade, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Cleveland Police Complex Exploitation Team, Dog Unit, Roads Policing Unit and Motorbike Unit.

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