Five arrested in Gateshead raids
Five people have been arrested in early morning raids as police crackdown on organised crime, five suspected air weapons were seized as well as quantity of cash.
This morning warrants were carried out at eight addresses in Gateshead.
The warrants were enforced at various addresses in the Felling area of Gateshead.
Four men and one women were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Earlier this year Operation Falkland was set up to disrupt the supply of class A drugs and dismantle organised crime.
The six month long investigation resulted in the arrests today.
Central Area Command Superintendent David Felton led the investigation.
He said: "Operation Falkland was set up on the back of concerns from the local community and an increase in community intelligence about certain criminal groups and their activities. We also experienced an increase in violence in some areas, protecting communities is our priority and we will always respond to prevent further harm.
"We won't tolerate organised crime and will do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the criminal behaviour of those suspected of being involved. Our activity will not stop today and we will continue to take action to stop the supply of drugs and associated crime. My message to those involved in organised crime is that we know who you are, we have you on our radar and we will catch up with you todays activity will continue all week.
"I hope today's activity will act as reassurance to communities across Gateshead that we are doing all we can to make their community even safer."