Firearm and drugs seized as wanted Hartlepool man is arrested

The 33-year-old Hartlepool man has been quizzed by detectives on suspicion of possessing a firearm, supplying class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

He was detained earlier this week as part of Cleveland Police’s summer-long Operation Phoenix campaign to improve public service, prioritise vulnerability, tackle serious violence and prevent crime.

A Cleveland Police statement released on August 14 said: “The 33 year old from Hartlepool was located and arrested by the force’s newly-established Complex Exploitation Team (CET), which focuses on identifying vulnerable people who may be at risk of being exploited for criminal gain. For example, people who are being groomed into working for drugs gangs on county lines.

“The man was questioned then released under investigation while inquiries continue.

“His arrest was the final one planned under an on-going intelligence led investigation which began earlier this year.

“Operation Phoenix includes heightened efforts to locate and arrest outstanding suspects, those wanted on prison recall or for breaches of orders and conditions.”

It was funded by money redistributed through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

A man was also quizzed earlier this week after police obtained warrants to search two separate properties in the town’s Everett Street as part of Operation Phoenix.

Quantities of what were suspected to be class B drugs were recovered from one address while officers are continuing to investigate animal welfare issues in connection with the second house.

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