Early morning raids by Durham Constabulary have resulted in 18 people being arrested for offences relating to the unlawful distribution of controlled drugs, and a further two people being arrested for other offences.
Around 165 uniformed officers and a range of support staff were involved in the operation, which took place on Wednesday 4th December and saw 13 men and 7 women arrested in Shildon, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe. Police swooped on a number of properties during the 6am operation, including six in Shildon.
The strikes were carried out as part of a continuing operation named ‘Sledgehammer’, Durham Constabulary’s unrelenting campaign against organised crime in County Durham and Darlington.
The operation has taken five months to prepare, with police swooping on 15 properties in total. The Shildon properties targeted were homes in Primitive Street, Cedar Grove, Hackworth Street, Jubilee Road, Windsor Terrace and Burnie Gardens.
Those arrested were aged between 25 and 54, with the majority detained on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A controlled drugs.
Information regarding illegal activity in these locations was provided to police by members of the public.
Chief Inspector Dave Turner commented, “Today’s operation has been an overwhelming success. We will not tolerate criminal activity of this kind in our force area. We will continue to dismantle, disrupt and destroy these networks.
“This has been part of a five month campaign which would not have been possible without the support of local people who have given us invaluable information.”
In the follow-up to the morning’s activity, leaflets were distributed door-to-door in the immediate areas around the target properties by teams of police community support officers (PCSOs).
Anyone with information about drug dealing and crime in their area can call the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and pass on what they know, without having to say who they are.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
