Police search Hartlepool address as part of organised crime crackdown

Dawn raids on Thursday, August 6 saw police make three further arrests and seize £20,000 in cash.

A string of warrants were executed at addresses across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Newcastle as part of Operation Venetic.

Three men – aged 32, 33 and 35 – were arrested by officers from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) who joined forces with Neighbourhood Policing Teams from Northumbria and Cleveland.

Warrants were executed at properties on Bishop Rock Drive and Pennine Way in Newcastle, and Abingdon Road and Gresham Road in Middlesbrough. A further search was carried out on Iber Grove, Hartlepool.

A total of £20,000 of suspected criminal cash was also seized.

The three males were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and have since been released on police bail.

Acting Detective Inspector Wayne Barrigan, of NERSOU, said: “This activity is part of our ongoing commitment to tackling serious and organised crime in all its forms.

“I want to assure the public that we will be relentless in our pursuit of those involved in organised crime and we will continue to work together with the three North East police forces of Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland to stop this type of criminality, and keep our communities safe.”

The clampdown on organised criminality continues, with oikuce forces across the country still carrying out coordinated strikes, tactical vehicle stops and raids as part of Operation Venetic.

Coordinated by the National Crime Agency, Op Venetic had been months in the planning after European Law enforcement gained access to an encrypted means of criminal communication, allowing them to track devices and share information with police forces across the continent.

Since March, the North East has seen more than £1.5million cash seized, as well as 80kg of cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA and Ketamine and a range being recovered.

The arrest total now stands at 56.

Contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55 111 if you see anything suspicious.

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