Nimrod raids target dealers in east Durham
29th July, 2010
Early morning raids were launched in the east Durham area today in an offensive against drug dealers.
More than 100 Durham Constabulary officers swooped on 11 houses in Easington Colliery and Peterlee. In Easington Colliery two properties were targeted in Hawthorn Street, one in Thorpe Street, one in Office Street, two in Barwick Street and three in Station Road. In Peterlee one house in Oakerside Drive and one in Cleveland Place were raided.
Ten men aged between 20 and 36 and two women aged 27 and 31 were arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and have been taken to Peterlee police station for questioning.
Small amounts of cannabis, tablets and white powder were seized.
Today's action is the latest under the Operation Nimrod banner - a rolling programme designed as an unrelenting series of actions to wipe out street-level drug dealing throughout County Durham and Darlington.
Chief Insp Elaine Taylor said this morning's Nimrod strike against drug dealers in east Durham is the 14th in the force area, the first having taken place in Seaham in 2008.
She added: "The fact that we have returned to this area a number of times does not mean it is any worse than any other part of the county with regard to the supply of drugs. Local people have expressed their concerns about drugs and the effect they have on our communities and we are responding to those concerns. The cooperation of residents is essential to the success of such action and they can be reassured that information they give to us will be acted upon.
"The people arrested today are known drug dealers supplying heroin and other drugs. Their removal from the streets is the consequence of months of careful evidence gathering."
Chief Insp Taylor said similar raids are planned for the future and added: "Our message to drug dealers in east Durham is simple. Drug dealing will not be tolerated. We will be back. If you have escaped arrest today and continue dealing, it is only a matter of time before we come knocking at your door."
Police community support officers were out and about in the areas where the raids took place explaining to residents what has gone on and asking people to contact police not only about drug dealing but also other criminal activity.
Officers are also working with other agencies, including the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, to provide as much support as possible to help addicts receive treatment for their addiction.
More than 150 people have been arrested as a result of Nimrod raids in County Durham and Darlington, and about £179,000 worth of drugs recovered.
"The removal of drug dealers from our streets has a positive impact on overall crime and east Durham has seen crime fall by about 18 per cent in the past year to date," added Chief Insp Taylor.
