TEN people alleged to have been involved in the supply of hard drugs went before a court yesterday.

Nine men and a woman appeared at Durham Crown Court charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

They were all arrested in a series of raids by police, as part of Operation Karaman, at homes in Darlington on June 9.

Alister Douglas, 32, of Duke Street, Roger Bowers, 26, of Kexwith Moor Close, Paul Wilson, 25, of Willow Road, Anthony Hall, 39, of Marina Road, Mark Paul Starkey, 32, of Ivy House, Matthew Pybus, 26, of Oxford Street, John Nicholson, 37, of Estoril Road South, Darren Paul Sheen, 25, of Haughton Road, and 25-year-old Clair Neary, are accused of being involved in the supply of drugs on dates between either March or May last year to June 6 or 9 this year.

Shaun Robson, 29, of Inglewood Close, faces two charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and one of selling or transferring a shotgun to a person other than a registered firearms dealer.

The cases were adjourned to September 8, when they will go before Teesside Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing.

Ms Neary was bailed to an address not given to the court.

Bail was also granted for Mr Nicholson, after a request by his barrister, Dan Cordey, but Judge Tim Hewitt turned down similar applications made for Mr Robson and Mr Pybus and they were remanded in custody.

The other seven accused were also remanded in custody.