Police raid Black Country homes in bid to smash major drugs ring
[gallery] Homes in Wolverhampton were among addresses raided as police from two forces tried to smash a major drugs ring early today.
Six people, including two women aged 18 and 42, were being quizzed after West Midland and West Mercia officers also targeted addresses in Birmingham.
The move was part of a long running two- year investigation into the peddling of heroin and cocaine in Worcester and it comes after a gang from Wolverhampton and Willenhall were jailed for trying to sell drugs in Worcester.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken away in handcuffs from a semi-detached property in All Saints, Wolverhampton at around 7.30am this morning.
Officers wearing helmets, stab vests and carrying a door enforcer were racing up the front door of the house when a man threw open an upstairs window and shouted: "Hold on, I'll come down and open up. Don't smash it."
Moments later police, including members of the West Midlands Gangs Task Force, were allowed inside.
"A home in nearby Blakenhall also had its front door broken down in the search for other suspects. In addition to the three people detained during the swoops this morning, three men already in jail were produced from prison to help with inquiries.
All six were later being questioned at police stations in Shrewsbury and Telford. Detective Sergeant Andy Bailey, from West Mercia Police said: "This is part of an ongoing operation into the supply of Class A drugs in the West Mercia force area.
"A number of people have already been prosecuted during this operation but we will not rest until we believe we have brought everyone involved to justice. The warrants were executed in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and I would like to thank all the agencies involved for their co-operation and support with this major operation.
"Searches are ongoing at the addresses we have targeted and these searches are likely to continue for some time." Police declined to comment further on the operation.
