Benefits Street resident offers class A drugs to police officer

Warsame Mohamed from James Turner Street in Winson Green approached two plain clothed officers outside shops in Smallbrook, Queensway, just before 5pm on January 20, 2014, asking if they smoked.

When the officers identified themselves, Mohamed and an accomplice tried to flee. The officers detained them both, but one man broke free by hitting the officer's arm and has not been traced.

Mohamed was arrested on suspicion of drug offences and a subsequent search revealed a quantity of crack cocaine and heroin, along with three mobile phones.

The unemployed 19-year-old was bailed while an investigation into the mobile phones' data showed a significant amount of drug related text messages.

Mohamed was later charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs and appeared at Birmingham Magistrates on 16 July 2014.

While on bail Mohamed was further arrested for possession of cannabis on January 3 this year and appeared before Birmingham magistrates where he was fined £50 with a £20 surcharge.

Yesterday Mohamed changed his plea to guilty for the original offence and was bailed for sentencing on 16 February.

Sergeant Simon Finney said: "We have been conducting an operation to crack down on drug activity in the Smallbrook Queensway area and only last night a 26-year-old local man was arrested in Ernest Street and found to be in possession of heroin with a street value of £5000.

"Officers searching his home address have also seized between £10,000 and £30,000 in cash along with a quantity of heroin and cocaine. He continues to be questioned by detectives today."