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Chronicle Live
National
Sonia Sharma

These cars were seized by police in biggest ever drugs operation in Gateshead

At total of 13 cars were seized by police as part of their biggest drugs operation in Gateshead.

Operation Salvator was launched by Northumbria Police after the number of drug deaths in the borough tripled in 2018.

Officers carried out nearly 40 dawn raids over four days across Gateshead and arrested 34 people.

It followed months of intelligence gathering with Gateshead Council as part of an investigation into the supply of cocaine and heroin.

Drugs, cash and weapons were seized from the addresses targeted.

A number of cars were seized by Northumbria Police as part of their biggest drug operation ever in Gateshead. (Northumbria Police)

And now police have released pictures of some of the vehicles seized from those suspected to be involved in serious and organised crime.

The cars included a Subaru Impreza, Audi, Nissan Juke and a Mercedes C-Class.

Det Supt Peter Bent said officers would continue to target the assets of those they suspected to be involved in criminal activity.

He added: "This week has been a big step in our bid to take those suspected to be involved in the supply of Class A drugs in Gateshead off the streets.

Gateshead drugs deaths: What happens now after suspected deadly dealers taken off the streets?  

"Both ourselves and our partners have been greatly concerned by the big increase in suspected drugs deaths in the borough in the past year.

"That is completely unacceptable and this week we have sent a very strong message to all drug dealers who prey on vulnerable users.

"More than 30 people have been arrested but that is not the only way we will look to target those we suspect to be involved in serious and organised crime.

"If we suspect any vehicles have been involved in that activity then we will take those as well and this week we have taken possession of 13 cars.

A number of cars were seized by Northumbria Police as part of their biggest drug operation ever in Gateshead. (Northumbria Police)
A number of cars were seized by Northumbria Police as part of their biggest drug operation ever in Gateshead. (Northumbria Police)

"We are not afraid to use all the powers at our disposal to safeguard vulnerable people and disrupt illegal activity across our region."

All 34 people - 30 men and four women - were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. They have since been released under investigation.

Inquiries into drug dealing across Gateshead will continue but anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

Drug dealing pensioner jailed for more than two years for selling heroin from her home

Two kilos of cocaine worth £90,000 seized from drugs gang in Scotswood raid  

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