Drugs police seized 2,500 temazepam tablets that are believed to have been imported from Pakistan.

Officers raided a house in Willow Walk, Hartlepool, after acting on information given to them from customs officials.

It is alleged that the tablets, which sell at around £1 each on the streets, had been ordered from Pakistan over the internet or by telephone and then posted to the property in the Dyke House area.

Detective Sergeant John Hemsworth, from Hartlepool Drugs Unit, said the packages had been intercepted by customs officials – who X-ray suspect parcels – at a sorting office in the south of England. As a result, the town's drugs officers were informed and visited the property at 10am on Tuesday.

There they found the massive stash of tablets – also known as wobbly eggs – and arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class C drugs.

Shortly after, a 41-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were arrested at a house in Raby Gardens on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs.

The trio, all from Hartlepool, have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Hemsworth said: "We believe the drugs have been ordered from Pakistan by the internet or by telephone. They've been intercepted by customs at the sorting office down south and then we were informed.

"As a result of this information we discovered 2,500 temazepam tablets and arrested three people."

He added: "We are interested in information in any class of drug, even Class C drugs have an impact on the quality of life of people in the town, and on the town's drug trade.

"This raid sends out a strong message that our fight against drugs is ongoing."

Anyone with any information about drug use in Hartlepool should ring (01642) 302126.