Two arrested during raids targeting rural drug supply and stolen vehicles

Two people have been arrested in a morning of synchronised raids to target those involved in rural drugs supply and moving stolen vehicles, agriculture equipment and plant through borders.

Yesterday morning, officers from across the force supported by colleagues from Thames Valley Police descended on a farm and two addresses in the south of the county to make arrests, gather intelligence and seize stolen items.

At the farmland near Sunniside, Crook, sniffer dogs also uncovered suspected cocaine and cannabis stashed inside an abandoned static caravan.

Around 50 officers were involved in the activity which included specialist search teams, drone operators, detection dogs, arrest teams and rural experts from Thames Valley supported by the National Rural Crime Unit.

A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft along with a 57-year-old man who was also arrested for possession with intent to supply.

They have been released on bail whilst further enquiries are carried out.

Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Reeves, from Crook neighbourhood team said: “Criminals can cross borders but what they fail to realise is, so can we.

“When we receive information that hard-working people in our county and wider are being targeted, we will take action and pour resources into operations like this to dismantle cross-border networks working up and down the country.

“Today, we saw some great results and we were able to return some of the stolen goods to their original owners, we have also taken drugs out of circulation and identified further vehicles involved in these activities.

“Our priority and always will be is to make residents in every patch feel safe and we are grateful for our colleagues at Thames Valley for their expertise and assistance in helping us achieve this.”

A spokesperson for Thames Valley police said: “The Thames Valley Police Rural Crime Taskforce remains committed to tackling all forms of rural crime impacting our rural communities. One of our primary priorities is disrupting the organised crime groups responsible for the theft of plant and farm machinery.

“Through close partnership working with Durham Police, we have successfully targeted a suspected OCG that has been causing significant harm to our rural communities. This joint investigation highlights not only the importance of collaborative policing, but also the lengths to which OCGs will go to commit offences across force boundaries.

“By working together, we continue to create a hostile environment for those who target rural areas—ensuring that offenders are identified, pursued, and brought to justice.”

Anyone with information on potential criminal activity in their area should call us on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 08000 555 111.