A Columbian appeared in court in connection with a massive police drugs bust.

Columbian National Osmiro Colonia Mendez, 37, appeared before JPs charged with conspiracy to supply drugs.

As part of a Northumbria Police drug sting code named Operation Banjo, officers in April last year began to investigate the alleged distribution of cocaine in Newcastle.

During the operation four and a half kilos of cocaine, worth £240,000 on the streets, and £45,750 cash was recovered, along with 4,610 Euros.

A total of 28 people were arrested - most in dawn swoops at their homes with 16 charged so far.

Prosecuting Kingsley Hyland said Mendez had been charged separately.

The court heard how Mendez and another man allegedly met two undercover officers at a Tyneside restaurant where they set up a deal to supply the officers with 20 kilos of "pure, untouched, stamped" cocaine.

The officers were allegedly told the cocaine would cost £1,000 per kilo but had the potential to reap back much more when it was cut.

Officers carried out a dawn raid at Mendez' address, at Bradley Bungalows, in Consett, County Durham, but the dad-of-one was in Miami at the time.

Defending, Neil Connell, said when he found out about the raid he contacted police on Tyneside himself and flew back home.

He was arrested on Saturday when he touched down at Newcastle Airport.

Mendez entered no pleas at the court but Mr Connell said his client was denying the offence. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Newcastle Crown Court next week. Operation Banjo involved the Northumbria Crime Team North and North Tyneside command area officers who struck at addresses in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Gateshead. It forms part of Chief Constable Mike Craik's pledge of total policing which is supported by Northumbria Police Authority. This latest operation follows the arrest of dozens of people in the region this year in connection with the supply of Class A drugs.