A nationwide hunt is under way for a wanted man who may have fled to the Highlands.
North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal to track down Stephen Robert Howard, 31, following a county lines drug operation last week that led to the seizure of a large quantity of suspected class A drugs and a sawn-off shotgun.
Searches for Mr Howard are ongoing in the Whitby area, but it is believed he may have headed to Fort William by train.
He also has links to Leeds in West Yorkshire.
In an online appeal, North Yorkshire Police said the suspected drugs were recovered from a car heading to Whitby.
Search warrants were then executed at several addresses in the town which led to the discovery of the gun.
Two suspects have been arrested and released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “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.”
If you have any information as to Mr Howard’s whereabouts, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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