Police seize drugs and weapons heading for Teesside - from parcels in the post

Cannabis, steroids, stun guns, pepper spray, knives and a knuckle duster were some of the items destined for Teesside

Several people have been arrested after illegal drugs and weapons were found in parcels heading for Teesside.

Officers from Cleveland Police community drug enforcement team and Border Force made the arrests following a joint operation.

Members of Border Force, based at international postal hubs at Heathrow and Coventry, seized the packages after they were found to contain the illicit materials.

These were then handed to Cleveland Police, whose officers carried out enforcement action.

A 19-year-old woman from Redcar was arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply Class B drugs after police intercepted a parcel containing around £6,000 of cannabis.

She was bailed pending further investigation.

And a man, 20, from Marske was arrested and cautioned for importing two stun guns.

The weapons have since been destroyed by police.

A 54-year-old woman from Stockton was given words of advice after importing two pepper sprays and a 31-year-old man from Redcar was given words of advice after importing a knuckle duster.

This has also since been destroyed by police.

Other people spoken to included a 20-year-old man from Normanby who was interviewed about the importation of a stun torch.

Advice was given and the device destroyed.

Meanwhile, a 13-year-old boy from Guisborough was warned about the importation of two butterfly knives, which were also destroyed and a 31-year-old man was warned about the importation and use of Dianabol steroids.

Detective Inspector Christian Ellis from the community drug enforcement team said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners to address those who continue to flout the law by believing they can hide behind the virtual world to get their hands on illegal items.

“The message is simple; if you buy an item from abroad and it’s illegal in the UK, Border Force will tell us and we will be knocking on your door.”

Assistant director Ria Baxendale, head of Border Force postal operations, said officers carried out checks at airports and ports to tackle illegal drugs, weapons and other contraband entering the UK.

She said: “We work closely with the police and if you try to import something that is illegal you can expect action to be taken against you.”