A MAN suspected of running drugs from Birmingham to Droitwich was one of more than 70 people arrested as part of a week of action against ‘County Lines’ dealers.
Traffic officers boxed in a car on a Droitwich street before arresting the suspect and another man.
The dramatic moment last Monday was caught on video here –
The 31-year-old, from Birmingham, was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply, while the 40-year-old driver, from Droitwich, was held on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Both have been released under investigation while officers conduct more enquiries.
Police said the dealer had the potential to make £4,000-a-day.
The wider operation saw drug gangs selling heroin and crack cocaine across the region targeted by West Midlands Police.
The force executed 29 warrants during the week, made 73 arrests and seized weapons, almost £20,000 in cash and drugs from people suspected of running cross-border drugs supply chains.
The force also conducted 14 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations targeting crooks using the road network to move drugs, and joined British Transport Police on the lookout for vulnerable people on the trains.
Neighbourhood officers gave a series inputs at schools and colleges aimed at diverting teenagers away from drug crime.
Supt Rich Agar, West Midlands Police’s lead for County Lines, said: “There have been several national weeks of action now aimed at County Lines drug dealing and this has been our most successful to date.”
County Lines Intensification Week saw police forces across the UK share intelligence and join forces to tackle dealers who often exploited vulnerable people, including children, to deal drugs on their behalf.
The operations, between October 7 and 13 – co-ordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre − led to more than 700 arrests by UK police, plus the seizure of drugs valued at half a million pounds.
Supt Agar added: “It’s crucial we work with police colleagues in neighbouring forces and across the UK − plus other partners − to effectively tackle the scourge of County Lines and that’s exactly what we did last week to great effect.
“County Lines is a cruel crime – offenders are making significant sums of money out of the misery of other people.
“They groom and exploit vulnerable people, often teenage boys and girls, with promises of quick money, designer clothes and kudos.
“But they treat them as simple commodities to do their dirty work moving and dealing drugs.
“We’ve found children holed up in squalid conditions and exposed to very dangerous people and environments − a far cry from what they’re promised.
“We are committed to dismantling drugs networks operating out of the West Midlands and to protect any young, vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs and subject to violence, fear and intimidation.”
He urged anyone who suspected a property of being used by drugs gangs to call West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
