TWO men, aged 43 and 69, have been arrested after drugs worth over £20,000, and around £7,000 in cash, were seized during police raids in Chester-le-Street.

Officers carried out searches at properties in Lilburn Close, Norton Close and Kingsmere on Wednesday and discovered a significant amount of class A and B substances.

The suspects were arrested in connection with drug and money laundering offences.

Sergeant Mel Sutherland said: “This is a significant result which would not have been possible without information from our community and excellent police work.” The two men arrested have been released under investigation to allow for the drugs to be examined and for detectives to carry out further enquiries.