A CRACK cocaine dealer arrested in a series of dawn raids in the region has been jailed for more than five years.

Northumbria Police carried out a targeted operation across North Tyneside and Northumberland as part of a crackdown into the supply of Class A drugs, resulting in arrests of eight people in co-ordinated raids at 12 different addresses., many in the Blyth and North Shields areas.

Among those detained was Michael McLaughlin who was arrested inside a property on Lambourn Avenue, in North Shields, where detectives uncovered wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, alongside a shotgun and a quantity of ammunition.

The 31-year-old was also in possession of a wad of cash, totalling £1,070, which he handed to the arresting officers before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

McLaughlin, of Barton Close, Battle Hill, Wallsend, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of a shotgun, when prohibited for life, in a subsequent hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

In a sentencing hearing at the court, on December 23, he was given prison sentences totalling five years and two months.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Laura Fairly, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an excellent result for the force.

“McLaughlin is a dangerous individual who was making money by exploiting some of the most vulnerable in society by supplying them with highly addictive, illegal drugs.

“He was arrested in a series of raids which were carried out as part of Operation Sentinel, our joined-up approach to tackling serious and organised crime, and offenders should be warned we will continue to carry out surveillance, execute warrants and seize illicit drugs and cash in order to disrupt this type of criminality.”

She urged anyone with information about drug dealing in their community to call police, on 101, report it online via the force website, or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on (0800) 555111.