Amphetamines are the North East’s favourite drug - after cannabis.
Figures from the Home Office have revealed that a total of 82kg of amphetamines were seized by police in the region in 2019/20 - down from 119kg seized the year before.
Despite the decrease, that’s still enough for more than 1.6 million typical 50mg “doses” of amphetamines - or more than one for every two people living in the North East.
It suggests the stimulants - which include speed - are the most popular drug in the region, apart from cannabis.
You can see how the figures for each police force compare to the rest of the country by exploring our interactive map below.
Tap in your postcode and you will be able to see which drugs are most likely to be seized by police in your area.
Cannabis remains the most popular drug in the North East - and around the world.
Meanwhile, police officers across the region are continuing with efforts to rid our streets of drugs.
Just last week, Northumbria Police arrested four people following raids at properties in Northumberland and found a stash of heroin and crack cocaine.
Officers from Ashington’s Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out the raids in Bedlington Station’s Thornley Terrace and Ashington’s Pont Street.
The warrants were executed as part of Operation Momentum, an ongoing push to dismantle drug operations and put those involved in dealing behind bars.
With the help of sniffer dogs, officers uncovered thousands of pounds worth of suspected heroin and crack cocaine as well as a quantity of cash.
Northumbria Police launched Operation Momentum to tackle drugs in the Ashington area last September and officers have since carried out 17 raids, made around 250 arrests and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of heroin, cannabis, cocaine, Valium and amphetamines.
