Seven more men arrested in organized crime crackdown after A66 crash

Cleveland police have arrested seven more men in a significant crackdown on organized crime, following a fatal A66 crash that claimed the lives of two officers. This latest action brings the total number of arrests in the investigation to 24.

Among those newly detained are four men, aged between 21 and 40, who are currently being questioned on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life, arson, and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. The alleged arson involved a caravan set alight on Atlee Road in Middlesbrough, while the criminal damage charge relates to a suspected ramming of a garden wall on Steele Crescent. These four men were apprehended after a vehicle they occupied was stopped by police on Kingsley Road.

Authorities also seized Class A drugs and a Mercedes car during the operation. Additionally, three other men were arrested: a 23-year-old on suspicion of threats to kill, a 42-year-old for similar threats and possession of criminal property, and a 30-year-old for possession of criminal property. These three were later released on conditional bail. Officers also confiscated £15,000 in cash, according to PA Media.