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In this episode, we follow the work of forensic investigators, response officers, neighbourhood teams and detectives in an array of crimes - from armed robbery and distraction burglaries to arson - all connected in some way by one thing: drugs. Northumbria Police have seen a rise in drug-related crime in the past five years.

Detective Chief Inspector John Bent is proud of his record of solving all the murders he has investigated, but the odds are stacked against him on his latest case, a fire that resulted in one death but could have led to mass fatalities. The evidence has gone up in smoke, there is no CCTV footage, and community tensions mean witnesses aren’t coming forward. Meanwhile, Sergeant Phil Hamlani and his neighbourhood team have gathered enough intelligence to raid the address of a suspected drug dealer, but they are aware that there is potential danger behind every door.

Elsewhere, another life is under threat. A grade one call comes in from paramedics who are being obstructed from carrying out CPR. Response officers Mark and Sarah rush to the scene, but the person has fled the scene, a drugs den. Despite the paramedics’ best efforts, the victim is pronounced dead. Meanwhile, reports of a hold-up at a local takeaway have come in, and the suspect is quickly identified from the CCTV. He is a repeat offender and a known drug user. And rural cop Lee Davidson follows up on a curious case of cannabis plants that have been discovered at a country estate.