Suspected drug dealers arrested after Class A drugs found hidden in dog bone

Three suspected drug dealers have been arrested and a haul of Class A drugs recovered from inside a large dog bone.

Officers from Northumbria Police made the discovery last week after carrying out a tactical vehicle stop in the Byker area of Newcastle after spotting a car that had been driving without insurance on Albion Row.

The activity triggered a series of searches on nearby addresses thought to be connected to the driver, but on arrival at the property, officers spotted two men fleeing through an upstairs window, starting a short foot chase.

Specialist officers from the force’s Neighbourhood Support Teams (NST) carried out searches of the address where they recovered a haul of heroin and crack cocaine worth more than £3,000.

The wraps had been carefully concealed inside socks and a large animal bone intended as a dog treat.

A quantity of cash, a handful of mobile phones and the vehicle were seized in the investigation into suspected county lines drug dealing was launched.

Two Staffordshire bulldogs were also seized by police and have since been returned to their owners.

Three men all aged in their early 20s were arrested and have since been released on police bail.

Detective Constable Greg Haynes said: “We are working tirelessly to stamp out County Lines drug dealing as it is a harmful practice which exploits vulnerable people and threatens to terrorise our communities at the expense of turning a profit.

“Thanks to some swift work by our officers, an uninsured car was spotted and then pulled over, sparking a fast-paced series of enquires resulting in three arrests and a number of high-value seizures. Because of this activity, a quantity of highly addictive, harmful and illegal drugs were seized and instead of being sold on our streets and the profits handed to organised crime, they will be destroyed as we continue our investigation.

“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated initiative to tackling serious and organised crime, we will continue to work with our communities and partners to stop offenders and disrupt their illicit activity.”