York Magistrates have given police three months to prove that £35,000 recovered from the home of a suspected drug dealer is the proceeds of crime.

If detectives can do so, the cash haul, the biggest in North Yorkshire this year, will be seized permanently and used to fund the fight against crime.

Officers also discovered weapons, including parts of a shotgun, and plastic bags of white powder, believed to be drugs, in the same house.

The property, in the Walmgate area, was raided as part of Operation Cage which targeted the homes of those allegedly involved in York's drugs trade.

Police said they also recovered a small quantity of cannabis and property, including ornaments and copper piping, which is believed to have been stolen.

Chief Superintendent John Lacy said it was "a fantastic haul" and pledged to confiscate criminal assets "wherever possible".

Two men arrested for alleged drug possession have since been released on police bail until January 7 pending further inquiries.

Since September, more than 15 search warrants have been executed in the Walmgate and Groves area of the city as part of Operation Delivery, a frontline drive by the police to disrupt and prosecute criminals.

So far more than £23,000 cash and £300,000 worth of assets, including vehicles and jewellery, have been seized in North Yorkshire.

Updated: 11:18 Friday, November 28, 2003