Police are hunting this man after detectives seized class A drugs and a sawn-off shotgun at a property in Whitby.
The discovery was made during a ‘county lines’ drugs raid.
Stephen Robert Howard, 31, is believed to have fled the town after the intensive police activity last week.
A large quantity of suspected Class A drugs was seized from a car that was heading to Whitby.
The Operational Support Unit then executed search warrants at several addresses in the town which led to the recovery of the sawn-off shotgun.
Two people have already been arrested and released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Searches for Howard are ongoing in the Whitby area, but there is also a possibility that he has headed to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands by train.
He also has links to Leeds.
British Transport Police, Police Scotland and West Yorkshire Police are assisting with the search for Howard.
He has also been circulated as wanted to police forces around the country.
Howard is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, short brown hair, green eyes, medium build, and he usually has a trimmed beard.
Anyone with information about Howard’s whereabouts or possible sightings of a man matching his description, are urged to contact North Yorkshire Police – details below.
The recent police operation came about after detectives from the Scarborough and Ryedale Intelligence Hub, supported by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, successfully bid for the funding to help the ongoing effort to tackle County Lines drug dealing in Whitby and the surrounding area.
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How to help the police
- Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and ask for the Force Control Room
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website
- Quote reference number 12220051395