Project Adder sees officers make 29 arrests and seize drugs worth £185k

Officers working to disrupt organised crime as part of a unique initiative have this month arrested 29 people and seized more than £185,000 worth of illegal drugs.

Dedicated officers working as part of Project Adder have stepped up their activity to tackle the supply of harmful substances – seizing quantities of cocaine, ketamine and heroin, as well as taking more than £48,000 in suspected criminal cash out of circulation.

Adder, which stands for addiction, diversion, disruption, enforcement and recovery was first launched in several areas across England and Wales in January 2021 and officially brought to Newcastle in July, aligning law enforcement with their local authority partners to steer people away from offending.

And this month, officers from Northumbria Police working as part of the scheme have stepped up their activity with a range of warrants, searches and tactical vehicle stops.

One house search in Debdon gardens, Heaton led officers to boxes of cannabis valued at £75,000, another vehicle stop and short foot chase in Jesmond resulted in the seizure of multiple bags of ketamine and cocaine. Other seizures include deals of crack cocaine, wraps of heroin and quantities of diazepam along with a Rolex and dozens of mobile phones.

As part of the ongoing clampdown, 20 cars were also uplifted and 2,000 packs of suspected illegal cigarettes recovered.

Praising the continued efforts of his team, Superintendent Jamie Pitt of Northumbria Police, the Force lead for Project Adder said:

“This month we’ve seen a fantastic set of results which will make a real difference in our communities.

“The substances we seize are safely destroyed and never make it onto the streets or turn a profit which could find its way back into organised crime.

“Drug supply exploits the vulnerable and can have a corrosive impact on our neighbourhoods and thanks to Project Adder, a significant quantity of Class A and B drugs have been taken out of the supply chain, and a number of individuals arrested.

“We will continue to work with our partners in both law enforcement and the local authority to tackle serious and organised crime and I hope this activity sends a strong message to those involved in this type of criminality – we will bring you to justice.”

"Impressive numbers."

A total of 24 men and five women were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences ranging from possession with intent to supply class A and B to driving while under the influence.

Cllr John-Paul Stephenson, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for Public Health and Culture, said:

“Project ADDER is about reducing drug-related crime, helping people resolve their substance misuse issues, and improving the support and recovery services available to affected individuals and their families.

“A huge part of that of course is the enforcement activity carried out to prevent these dangerous drugs reaching the streets and disrupt the criminal groups operating in our communities, and Northumbria Police have once again demonstrated their effectiveness in achieving this here.

“While this kind of activity goes a long way to tackling the issues drugs bring, it’s really important that people continue to reach out and get help for themselves and their families and I would urge people to find out about the support and recovery services available in Newcastle on our website.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, added:

"These are big, impressive numbers - the results residents want to see. Drug crime brings so many problems and there really is no quick fix solution but I am very pleased with the work and results that Project Adder is achieving.

"The more people arrested, the more drugs we take out of the circulation, the more people we help with addiction - it's all part of fighting this crime. We need to keep chipping away at the problem, breaking it down, disrupting the networks and ultimately protecting the vulnerable who get targeted and drawn into the evils of the drugs world.

"I've spoken with officers and there is a real sense of momentum with these operations and I know local people will be pleased they're getting the strong results to match."

If you believe someone in your community is involved in drug-related criminality, please report it to police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the police website or by calling 101.

You can also pass on information via independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by ringing 0800 555 111.

Drug and alcohol support services - https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/public-health-wellbeing-and-leisure/public-health-services/drugs-and-alcohol

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