Police hunt for drug-runner suspect

Derek Jones has evaded arrest ever since armed police carried out dawn raids on homes in Penn and Tettenhall in February. More than 60 officers were involved in the raids and more than £100,000 of drugs were recovered.

Jones, aged 36, is wanted on conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and is being hunted by West Midlands Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

DC Phil Houghton said Jones, who has links to Manchester and Crewe, was aware police were after him.

He said Jones came from Wolverhampton and sometimes goes by the name Derek Donaldson.

"We need to speak with Derek Jones as soon as possible," said DC Houghton. If he is in the West Midlands area it is in his best interest to contact us. If there is someone out there who knows where he is, we would encourage them to come forward as soon as possible."

Three people are awaiting trial as a result of the dawn raids.

A 40-year-old woman from Tettenhall and a 52-year-old from the Prestwick area of Glasgow were charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack.

A 42-year-old man from Wolverhampton was charged with conspiracy to supply heroin, conspiracy to supply crack and production of cannabis. The raids followed a three-month investigation by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit in connection with the supply of drugs in Scotland.

More than 60 officers, some armed with firearms and others with specialist drug dogs, took part in the operation.

Anyone with information can call West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police say dealers from the Black Country make vast profits by selling drugs in Scotland, where the market has not been saturated.

Heroin and crack cocaine worth £10 in the West Midlands can be sold for £80 north of the border.

During the raids, residents reported seeing one door cut open with a "chainsaw".

Firearms officers were also involved in a search at an address on the Willenhall Road, near Portobello.