Seven people were arrested in North Tyneside after police carried out dawn raids at five addresses as part of an investigation into suspected drug supply. The warrants were executed on Wednesday morning following intelligence, with support from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU). Properties in North Shields, Tynemouth and Whitley Bay were targeted.
Arrests and Investigation
All seven suspects, aged between 16 and 50, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Officers said their inquiries are continuing.
Detective Inspector Jon May, of Northumbria Police, said: “We remain committed to tackling drug-related criminality wherever we find it in our Force area, as these latest arrests demonstrate. Thanks to the work of several specialist teams, there are currently seven people in our cells with enquiries very much continuing.”
Operation Sentinel and Public Appeal
DI May added: “To be clear, illegal drugs and drug-dealing have absolutely no place in our communities, now or ever, and under the banner of Operation Sentinel we are doing our utmost alongside partners to apprehend those responsible so that we can bring them to justice.”
He also appealed to the public: “And my message to the public is that if you do have information which could assist us in our investigations, please get in touch so that we can build on our ever-growing intelligence picture.”
Anyone with information on suspected drug activity can contact Northumbria Police via social media direct message, live chat, or report forms on the Force’s website. Alternatively, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
