Heroin and spice seized in city drug raids

Several raids were carried out at addresses in Newcastle

Nine people have been arrested and charged with drug offences after heroin and spice were seized during a series of raids.

Eight of the nine appeared before magistrates on Wednesday charged with supplying or offering to supply Class A and B drugs in Newcastle.

It comes after Northumbria Police executed warrants for raids at several properties on Tuesday.

Those charged are aged between 24 and 40, from the West End of the city, Felling in Gateshead, or are of no fixed address.

Of the seven men and two women charged, three will face a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December, while four will be sentenced at a later date.

One woman was fined £6,914 and must attend rehabilitation for five days. Another man was handed a 12-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, alongside a £239 fine.

Three of those charged have been remanded in custody, while four are on conditional bail until their court hearings.