Police raid sweet shop and seize stock over suspected drug offences

‘Today’s operation will have left local drug dealers with a sour taste in their mouths,’ says officer

Police raided The Convenience Store in South Moor, near Stanley (Durham Police )

A sweet shop in Durham has had its entire stock of confectionery seized by police amid fears it could be “contaminated by dangerous drugs”.

Officers and sniffer dogs from Stanley Neighbourhood Policing Team raided The Convenience Store in South Moor on Friday afternoon following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Durham Constabulary confirmed that a quantity of white powder – suspected to be amphetamine – was seized during the operation, and jars and boxes of sweets were removed from the Park Road shop as a precaution.

Photos released by police show officers carrying out the large containers and putting them into the boot of a police car.

Sergeant Dave Clarke of Stanley Police, who led the operation, said: “This is a shop which sold sweets to children.

“Families with children were regular customers at the premises, which is right in the heart of the village and straight opposite a nursery.

Dozens of jars of sweets were removed from the shop, which is near a nursery. (Durham Police ) (Durham Police)

“We have confiscated the contents of the shop because we couldn’t take the risk that some of those loose sweets might become contaminated with a potentially dangerous substance.”

Police arrested a 50-year-old women on suspicion of possession with intent and a 56-year-old man was also taken in for questioning for questioning.

A second property in Stanley was also searched where officers found a quantity of cannabis, along with drug equipment and cash.

The items seized are now being examined and an investigation has been launched.

“Today’s operation shows that when the local community gives us information about the supply of drugs, then we will take decisive action,” said Sergeant Clarke.

“Hopefully, today’s operation will also have left local drug dealers with a sour taste in their mouths.”