Two men have been handed a combined six years behind bars after police seized weapons and drugs worth £23,500 in a home during a raid last year.

Hamzah Hussain, 24, and Paul Maidman, 26, both of Essex Street in Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court yesterday (March 8) where they were sentenced for possession with intent to supply and produce crack cocaine.

The men were originally arrested in May of last year during Operation Artemis which saw a drugs warrant carried out at an address.

The Northern Echo: Left to right: Paul Maidman and Hamzah Hussain.Left to right: Paul Maidman and Hamzah Hussain. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

In the search, police found large bags of cocaine worth a total of around £23,500 along with drugs paraphernalia and £1,230 in cash.

Also seized by police were knives and a machete.

During their appearance in court, Hamzah Hussain was sentenced to three years imprisonment for class A drugs offences and Paul Maidman was sentenced to three years imprisonment for both class A and C drugs offences.

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Speaking of the sentence, Sergeant John Sproson, said: “These sentences are welcomed by police in Middlesbrough; we are tackling those dealing drugs every day to prevent these drugs from getting onto the streets of Middlesbrough and help protect our communities.

“Local residents don’t want people causing antisocial behaviour and drug-related crime on their doorstep and we continue to urge people to report incidents to us so that we can take action.

“This is a warning to anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to blight the lives of others for their own criminal gain, it won’t be tolerated and you will be brought to justice.”