FIVE people have been arrested and £25,000 seized after a series of raids in Darlington and Hartlepool.
The raids were carried out today by Cleveland and Durham Police as part of efforts to tackle organised crime.
In Darlington a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
In Hartlepool a 33-year-old man, a 35-year-old man and 34-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
A 35-year-old Hartlepool woman was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
During the raids a large amount of cash was recovered, estimated to be around £25,000.
Officers also recovered a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs and a number of jewellery items, thought to be of high value.
Warrants were also executed in Merseyside and the Cornwall area.
The raids were under the banner of Operation Sentinel which sees Cleveland Police, Durham Constabulary, Northumbria Police and the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) working together to disrupt and prevent organised crime.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Those targeted in these early morning raids are suspected of being involved in organised crime and investigations continue."
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