Thirteen men and four women have been arrested in raids for alleged drugs and money-laundering offences across five police force areas including Northamptonshire today.
Officers executed warrants at addresses in Northampton, Durham, Cleveland, Jarrow, and Nottingham.
Those arrested are in custody at South Shields, Middlesbrough, Darlington and Nottinghamshire police stations where they will be questioned.
More than 60 detectives, uniformed officers and specialist staff took part in ‘Operation Patton’, a North East Regional Organised Crime Unit investigation targeting organised crime gangs operating in the North-East region with criminal links to other force areas.
As part of the operation officers recovered £5 million worth of drugs in January 2013 from a storage unit in North Yorkshire.
Two men were arrested, charged, remanded and currently awaiting sentence after submitting a plea.
Officers have also recovered £450,000 in cash.
Northamptonshire Police provided assistance for the operation alongside Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland and Nottinghamshire Police as well as the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).