Police arrested nine suspects in a drugs raid on a Wearside pub.

Teams of officers swooped at Keano's Bar, in Thomas Street North, Monkwearmouth, spending more than three hours searching the premises.

Passers-by reported five vehicles surrounding the popular matchday venue – formerly The Terminus – in Thomas Street North, which is five minutes' walk from the Stadium of Light.

Officers targeted the pub at 4.30pm yesterday, loading containers into police vans before the shutters were pulled down at 7.30pm.

Passengers at the nearby bus depot watched as the search was carried out under a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

One woman and two men were arrested for possession of Class A drugs and were later bailed. Four men, arrested for possession of a Class C drug, were given a warning.

Two others were still waiting to be interviewed.

Superintendent Kay Blyth, of Sunderland Area Command, today sent out a stark warning to people selling and using drugs in the city.

She said: "We will continue to act on the concerns of the public to tackle those who are dealing drugs in their communities.

"Those who are using or selling illegal drugs in Sunderland should be aware that their actions will not be tolerated and that they will be caught and brought to justice.

"Illegal drugs bring misery to the lives of law-abiding people and we will not waiver in our determination to protect communities from the damage that drugs cause."

"I would urge anyone with any information about drug misuse in their area to contact Nothumbria Police, tel: 03456 043 043.

"I can assure them that we will continue to act on their information to ensure that Sunderland remains a safe place in which to live and work."

The Echo understands inquiries were made at the pub following the double killing of Wearside men Wayne Pearce, 41, and Brian Pallister, 44, at Harbour Lodge, Monkwearmouth, on Friday, April 18. However, police yesterday stressed that the raids were independent of any other ongoing investigations.

From The Mackem Echo