Six men have been charged with drugs offences after a series of raids by Northumbria Police yesterday.
The men were arrested during a series of morning raids marking the conclusion of an extensive intelligence led operation targeting the supply of drugs.
In a joint operation between Sunderland Area Command and Northumbria Police’s Crime Operations department 165 officers raided 15 properties across Sunderland seizing quantities of cocaine, ecstasy and steroids from identified drug dealers. 11 arrests were made and cash totalling £31,000, suspected of being the proceeds of drug dealing, was also seized during the raids.
Six men have now been charged with drugs offences and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court today. A further 2 men and 3 women were also arrested during the operation but were bailed pending further enquiries.
Sean Barnfather, 26, of Townsend Road, Sunderland, was charged with 6 counts of supplying class A drugs (cocaine) and 4 counts of supplying class c drugs (steroids). David Burridge, 30, from the Sunderland area, Terry Connoly, 29, of Wendover Close, Witherwack and Daniel Ayre, 45, of Catlereagh Street, Sunderland were all charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).
Terry Connoly, Daniel Ayre and David Gibson, 24, of Falmouth Road, Sunderland were also charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs (ecstasy).
James Neish, 32, of Redgrave Close Gateshead was charged with 3 counts of supplying class A drugs (cocaine).
Sunderland Area Commander Dave Pryer said: “As a result of this operation we have charged a number of people suspected of involvement in the distribution of drugs within our city. Drawing upon the skills and resources of Northumbria Police’s Crime Operations Unit we have successfully carried out this operation to identify and catch those responsible for selling drugs in Sunderland, ensuring that the city remains a safe place in which to live and work.
“We continue to work alongside our partners to ensure that those with drug problems in Sunderland are supported in getting the appropriate treatment and support.”
DCI Tim Walker of Crime Operations said: “As a result of this operation we have arrested and charged a large number of people suspected of dealing drugs within Sunderland, recovering significant amounts of cocaine, ecstasy tablets, steroids and cash from the hands of criminals.
Our Crime Operations Unit will continue to use its skills and resources to support neighbourhood policing teams in ensuring that issues and concerns raised by those living in communities across the Northumbria Police area are met with an appropriate and effective response.”