COMMENT: Drug raids leave Sunderland crooks feeling blue

Operation Indigo saw officers execute dawn raids across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

As we reveal today, officers from Northumbria Police have swooped on a number of addresses in our community as part of a crackdown on drugs.

In particular, they were targeting the illegal supply of prescription drugs in the region.

The raids netted more than £14,000 in cash, five arrests, and a large amount of drugs, including Pregablin and Valium which are both addictive substances.

Officers were quick to highlight the insidious nature of this kind of crime.

Not only does it fuel drug problems among the more vulnerable in our society, but the vast sums of money accrued are ploughed back into more sinister and destructive criminal activity.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Mcguigan, said: “Through our role, unfortunately, we often see the devastating and often fatal effects drugs misuse can have on some of the most vulnerable members of society, their families and the wider community.

“On many occasions, organised criminal groups supply illicit drugs into the community for purely financial gain, and they then use that income to fund other illegal activities.”

A great result for the community which has taken drugs off the streets, disrupted criminal gangs and, hopefully, results in a few criminals enjoying time at Her Majesty’s pleasure.

Operation Indigo is a welcome tonic that should bring some colour to the cheeks of the community .