Recent raids in Gateshead saw police seize cannabis worth £1 million, and weighing a quarter of a ton.
Police raided addresses across the area, including five homes in the Dunston and Swalwell areas of Gateshead. In total, over 3000 cannabis plants and £3,000 cash was seized by Northumbria Police.
1,680 of the plants were seized from a single industrial unit, where four men were also found. They were arrested, along with two other alleged accomplices.
Later, police carried out additional raids on homes in Newcastle city centre, which ultimately lead to four additional arrests.
Police suspect the drugs were being sold as part of a large-scale operation, with potential links to modern day slavery and people trafficking organisations.
The men and women who were arrested are aged between 20 and 40 years old, and are from Vietnam, Poland and Lithuania. They have currently been released under investigation.
