£2,000 worth of lethal highs taken off the streets by police raids

Police say they have taken more than £2,000 worth of potentially deadly drugs off the streets in a series of raids.
Some of the lethal highs seized by Northumbria Police in this week's raids.Some of the lethal highs seized by Northumbria Police in this week's raids.
Some of the lethal highs seized by Northumbria Police in this week's raids.

Nine people have now been charged after specialist officers raided two addresses linked to the supply of lethal highs and other Class A drugs in and around Newcastle city centre.

The raids were the culmination of a six-month operation to identify those involved in the supply of the drugs - formerly known as legal highs - and gather intelligence about their tactics. Now the task force involved in the operation has revealed that more than 200g of the psychoactive substances, which have been linked to several deaths and hospitalisations, were seized at a single address on Monday. The bags are branded with names such as Spice, Old Jamaican Extreme and Alabama Wildfire, with each carrying the warning 'Not for human consumption'. Superintendent David Felton, who led the operation, says Northumbria Police are committed to taking the drugs off the streets of Newcastle. "Lethal highs have a devastating impact on people's lives, and those involved in the supply of the substances often prey on some of the most vulnerable people in society. "Many visitors to Newcastle city centre would have witnessed what lethal highs can do, and the vast majority of this city are in agreement that these drugs are not welcome in our region. "They were made illegal for a reason, and we will continue to carry out proactive operations to ensure that products such as these are taken off the streets."A 24-year-old woman and eight men, aged between 20 and 55, have been charged with conspiracy to supply lethal highs, which became illegal last spring.

Lethal highs seized in the raids included Spice, Old Jamaican Extreme and Alabama Wildfire.Lethal highs seized in the raids included Spice, Old Jamaican Extreme and Alabama Wildfire.
Lethal highs seized in the raids included Spice, Old Jamaican Extreme and Alabama Wildfire.
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They are all from the Newcastle area and will appear before the city's magistrates' court on April 7. A 36-year-old woman was released on police bail. Anyone who has any information about the supply of lethal highs, or any other type of illegal substance, can contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.