A CAMPAIGN to stamp out drug dealing notched up its 200th arrest during a police operation this week.

Officers in Darlington made five arrests and found suspected cannabis during the latest Operation Nimrod raids.

More than 80 officers were involved in the operation, which targeted nine terraced houses in the North Road, Brinkburn Road, Whinfield and Bank Top areas of the town.

It followed similar raids last week when 15 people were arrested, of whom eight were remanded in custody.

There have been 200 arrests since last April when Operation Nimrod was launched in the town and other parts of County Durham. The raid on Wednesday was the 13th.

Before the raids were carried out, Chief Insp Chris Reeves, of Darlington police, said it was his aim to make it impossible to buy drugs on the streets of the town.

Insp Steve Steen said afterwards: “Last week we went for the main dealers. This morning was a follow-up to that. This week was catching the rest.

“The information we have been getting is that we have seen a decrease since last week and even a decrease in the number of shop-lifting offences in town.

“Once the operation is finished, we will still be getting information from the public and we will act on it. The raids may not be as big but we will still be doing them.”

As a result of more information since last week’s raid, another arrest was made this week.

Officers spent Wednesday speaking to neighbours and gathering more intelligence.

Local councillors and residents were invited to witness the raids.

Coun Lee Vasey, who represents Eastbourne ward, said: “These raids are telling the community about the action.

You see a lot of neighbours poking their noses out to see what is going on.

“It is also telling the drug dealers that there is no hiding place.”

Information about drug dealing can be given to the police on 0345-6060-365 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.