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Arrests and seizures after morning raids

Northumbria Police

6 October 2010


Suspected drug dealers and users and illegal money lenders have been targeted in a series of raids in Newcastle.
11 people have been arrested and drugs, documents and cash were recovered during seven dawn raids across the city, which took place last week.
Drugs warrants were executed by Newcastle officers and the force's Total Policing Task Force, while police also teamed up with the North East Illegal Money Lending Team to target suspected illegal money lenders.
On Monday morning a warrant was executed at Monkchester Road, Walker, and a 22-year-old woman received a caution for possessing amphetamine.
A warrant was also executed at Amelia Close in South Benwell and a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs after two bags of white powder and what is believed to be a small quantity of ecstasy tablets were recovered.
The white power is being tested. Knives were also recovered from the address and the arrested man has been bailed pending further enquiries.
On Tuesday morning two warrants were executed at linked addresses in Ashfield Close in the West End. At one a man aged 23 was arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs while men aged 24, 42 and a woman aged 41 were arrested on suspicion of supplying cannabis.
A Cannabis nine bar was recovered along with a small amount of bush and a bag of white powder, which is believed to be cocaine but which is being tested. Around £1,500 in cash was also recovered from the address. All those arrested have been bailed for enquiries.
At the other address in Ashfield Close a 26-year-old man received a cannabis warning after admitting possessing cannabis resin.
On Wednesday September 29 and Thursday September 30 police joined forces with the Illegal Money Lending Team to target suspected illegal money lenders in the city.
On Wednesday morning a search was carried out at a house in Havannah Crescent in Dinnington. Around £3,000 in cash was seized, along with paperwork relating to money lending activity.
The 46-year-old householder was stopped in his car at Brunton Lane, Kenton Bankfoot and arrested. Later in the day a 43-year-old woman was arrested. Both were arrested under the Consumer Credit Act for money laundering offences and have been bailed pending enquiries.
On Thursday morning two warrants were executed at linked addresses in Alston Avenue, Walker, and Quarry Bank Court, Elswick, again in conjunction with the Illegal Money Lending Team.
At Alston Avenue a 47-year-old woman was arrested, while at Quarry Bank Court a 26-year-old man was arrested Again paperwork relating to money lending activity was seized, and the pair were arrested for offences under the Consumer Credit Act. Both have been bailed for enquiries.
Howard Turton, Regional Enforcement Manager from the North East Illegal Money Lending Team, said: I'd like communities to see how seriously we take loan sharks and know that we will do everything in our power to remove them from the areas which they blight.
"We know these people are embedded within our estates and communities and it's difficult to get the intelligence we need to carry out this type of operation.
"However, people should know that we will act on any information received and tackle the menace loan sharks pose with the full force of the law."
Detective Chief Inspector George Duff, Newcastle Area Command, said the week of action showed the effectiveness of partnership working. He said: "The activity was aimed at those people who are causing the most concern in the community and targeted suspected illegal money lenders and drug dealers and users.
"It follows on from previous weeks of action we've carried out in Newcastle targeting those people who are disruptive and harmful to their neighbourhoods.
"I hope it's reassuring for the public to see this activity being carried out and I'd like to reiterate that we'll continue working with the force's Total Policing Task Force and partner agencies to take action. Anyone suspected of committing crime and disorder will be targeted."
The North-East Illegal Money Lending Team's 24-hour confidential hotline is 0300 555 2222 and they can also be contacted by texting loan shark and the message to 60003.
To report crime and disorder in your neighbourhood contact Northumbria Police on 03456 043 043 or charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.