Nine charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

Nine men aged between 30 and 58 stood accused of conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine while unemployed Emma Wheeler, 32, of Braceby Avenue, Billesley was charged with two counts of shoplifting.

The charges come as part of an operation to tackle drugs, codenamed No Deal.

So far during the operation 21 people have been arrested, of whom 20 have been charged and appeared before the courts.

Chief Inspector Richard Agar, from Birmingham Police, is leading the crackdown. He said: "No Deal has been developed as a direct result of local people telling us drugs are a problem in their neighbourhood.

"We've worked with them over the past few months to develop our response to those concerns.

"So far, 21 people have been arrested with 20 of those charged and put before the courts.

"I can promise those people who have confidentially shared their concerns about drug dealing that further raids and arrests will be taking place in the next couple of days, weeks and even months. But we need their continued support by supplying us with fresh information."

All were remanded in custody. Meanwhile a 50-year-old man from Northfield in Birmingham was released on conditional police bail pending further enquiries.

Those charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs are:

• Taxi driver Waqas Ulhaq, 30, of Claremont Road, Smethwick, Warley is charged with two counts

• Car valeter Marc Morgan, 32, Cherington Road, of Stirchley is charged with two counts

• Unemployed James Floan, 35, Kingsthorpe Road, Warstock is charged with two counts

• Labourer Desmond Boulle, 49, of Hebden Grove, Hall Green is charged with two counts

• Floor layer James Baker, 35, of Baxters Road, Shirley, Solihull is charged with two counts

• Unemployed David Monaghan, 43, of Hollybank Road, Kings Heath is charged with two counts

• Unemployed Andrew Holvey, 32, of Prince of Wales Lane, Yardley Wood is charged with two counts

• Unemployed Mahmood Sadiq, 48, of Wyatt Close, Edgbaston is charged with two counts

• Construction worker Steven Canning, 58, of Highers Heath Lane, Maypole is charged with two counts

Anyone with information about suspected drug dealing in their neighbourhood should call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555. To speak to police officers instead, call 101.

For help to make a fresh start free from drugs call Reach Out Recovery on 0121 227 5890.