Three arrested after cash and drugs found in police raids on Middlesbrough estates

Three men were arrested and a quantity of cash and drugs seized after raids on addresses in Middlesbrough.

In a joint operation between Cleveland Police’s Community Drug Enforcement Team and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), officers swooped on properties in Westerdale Road, Berwick Hills, and Grendon Walk, Park End.

They seized around 5000 Zopiclone tablets and 1000 Diazepam tablets - illegal if not issued under prescription - with a combined street value of around £7,000. About £1,400 in cash was also seized.

A 20-year-old and 48-year-old were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession with intent to supply class C drugs. A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class C. They have all been released on police bail.

Thursday’s raids involved Cleveland Police working closely with the National Crime Agency and Border Force, with assistance from MHRA in the arrest phase.

Detective Inspector Christian Ellis, from the Community Drug Enforcement Team, said: “Many medicines that you may be able to get prescribed legitimately for medical reasons are controlled by legislation if they are not prescribed by a health care professional.

“The danger with the tablets seized in the raids is that they are often counterfeit and therefore the ingredients used to make them can be very different to the tablets prescribed legally. They would therefore pose a significant danger to those who use them.”

MHRA head of enforcement Alastair Jeffrey said: “Diazepam and Zopiclone are powerful medicines that should only be dispensed by medical professionals. This seizure highlights that criminals are prepared to trade in these types of medicines purely for profit and with absolute disregard to the potential serious health consequences. People who purchase controlled medicines outside the normal channels are gambling with their health.”

Members of the public with information or suspicions about the supply of drugs within the community can call the unit in confidence on 0800 092 9702 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.