A routine arrest led police to seizing a haul of illicit substances and potentially foiling a plot to smuggle drugs into a prison.

It follows a report of criminal damage in the Hebburn area of South Tyneside, on Saturday, November 15.

A 35-year-old man was identified as among Northumbria Police's 'most wanted' and officers sprang into action to locate the suspect.

Working on intelligence, the suspect was tracked to a hotel in South Shields later that evening.

When a neighbourhood support team entered a room in the hotel, they uncovered a haul of suspected illicit substances, including an estimated £3,000 of cocaine, £500 of Pregabalin tablets, and an amount of cannabis resin.

Drugs seized by police in hotel room raid (Image: Northumbria Police)

They also discovered a number of drone

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