A DOG almost bit off more than it could chew when it picked up a packet of drugs during a police raid.

Officers watched in amazement as cannabis worth £340 disappeared between the alsatian's jaws.

The incident happened during a raid in Murton, east Durham, on Wednesday evening.

Seven officers were approaching a house in Treen Crescent when four men appeared and made off down the street.

One of them threw an object over a roof, which landed in a garden at the back of Treen Crescent and was picked up by the alsatian.

As the dog started to chew the package, Sergeant John Foreman, the officer leading the operation, leapt into the garden.

He said: "I had to act quickly, as not only were we in danger of losing evidence, but also the drug would probably have killed the dog.

"It must have looked amusing to those watching me chasing the dog around the garden and persuading it to part with the cannabis."

Cannabis worth about £340 was recovered during the operation.

Two 17-year-old youths, a 19-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possessing a drug with intent to supply.

They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.