Legal News

Northumbria Police have charged seven people with drugs offences, in a crackdown on drug supply in Newcastle city centre.

Arrests were made in dawn raids on Monday 6 March, as part of a six-month anti-drugs operation. Specialist police officers raided two addresses linked to the supply of “lethal highs” and other Class A drugs in and around Newcastle city centre.

Newcastle City Council said in a statement that the raids followed a police operation to identify those involved in the supply of the drugs and gather intelligence about their tactics.

Officers from across the force executed a number of arrest warrants across Newcastle, including two addresses in Cowgate and Elswick.

As a result, eight people were arrested as part of the operation – and six men aged 55, 50, 44, 25, 22 and 20 and one woman aged 24 have been charged for conspiracy to supply so called “lethal highs”, psychoactive substances formerly known as “legal highs”, which are now banned.

Those arrested are all from the Newcastle area and will appear before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 7 April.

A 36-year-old woman was released on police bail.

Superintendent David Felton – who led the operation for the force's Central Area Command – said the charges showed a commitment to take “legal highs” off the streets of Newcastle for good.

“Newcastle is a very safe city and a fantastic place to visit – there has been lots of work done to take lethal highs off the street and many people would have seen the footage we released last year showing the effects these substances have on users.

“Those involved in the supply of these types of drug pray on some of the most vulnerable people in society – and this operation is not only about taking those people off the streets, but it is about safeguarding vulnerable people.

“Our action won't stop here and we will continue to target those we believe to be bringing illegal substances onto the streets of Newcastle – and will do what we can to put them before the court.

“We will continue to work with our partners at the local authority to ensure we remain as one of the most proactive police forces in the country when it comes to taking illegal substances off our streets.”

Northumbria Police worked closely with Newcastle City Council as part of the operation – and the police and council said they continue to work together to make Newcastle a safe place to live, work and visit.

Newcastle City Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Regulation, Councillor Nick Kemp, said:

“I congratulate Northumbria Police on the operation, which is the culmination of weeks of dedicated and careful police work.

“Drugs and lethal highs are the scourge of our communities, wrecking families, neighbourhoods and even destroying lives – the council is absolutely committed to helping vulnerable people and will continue to show zero tolerance to those who exploit them.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving drugs offences, including possession, supply, or manufacturing or distributing Class A and Class B drugs or psychoactive substances.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on all drugs offences, call Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.