A total of 50 people have been arrested as part of a police operation against organised crime following a fatal crash on the A66 on Teesside. The head-on collision killed seven people, including two police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.
The crash on 22 August involved a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough, which hit an oncoming marked Cleveland Police vehicle. The occupants of the VW Passat, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died at the scene.
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Barker of Cleveland Police stated that over the past two months, 50 individuals believed to be associated with criminal networks involved in the supply of drugs have been identified. Ten of those arrested are alleged to be linked to a Volvo reportedly involved in driving into two properties in the early hours of 22 August.
The force reported the seizure of shotguns, handguns, machetes, ammunition, £60,000 worth of Class A and B drugs, and over £30,000 in cash. Safeguarding interventions have also been made in relation to three children.
Fifteen people, comprising 13 men and two women aged between 19 and 45, have been charged with various offences, including possession of a firearm and possession with intent to supply drugs such as cocaine and crack cocaine.