Drug seizures rise across North East

Home Office data shows Northumbria Police made 5,087 drug seizures during 2019-20, an eight per cent increase compared to 4,699 the previous year.

That equated to a rate of 3,475 seizures per million of the population – above the national average of 2,808 per million.

In Northumbria, cannabis was the most commonly seized drug, which was involved in 54% of seizures where the drug type was known.

This was followed by cocaine (15%) and amphetamines (6%).

Drugs could not be classified in 14% of seizures.

Durham Constabulary made 1,704 drug seizures in 2019-20, up three per cent on the previous year’s 1,660.

That equated to a rate of 2,675 seizures per million population – below the national average.

Cannabis was the most commonly seized drug, which was involved in 55% of seizures, followed by cocaine (9%) and amphetamines (3%).

Drugs could not be classified in 32% of seizures.

Nationally, the number of drug seizures increased for the second consecutive year to 183,000 – a 20% rise compared to 2018-19.

This was mainly driven by an increase in the number of seizures of class B drugs like cannabis.

Deputy Chief Constable Jason Harwin, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for drugs, said: "These drugs feed a multi-million pound illicit market and are a key driver in other serious crimes.

"Working with other law enforcement agencies, we pursue organised criminals involved in the drugs trade who often commit other major crime including serious violence, human trafficking and modern slavery.”