Crack cocaine hidden in Kinder eggs

Drug dealers in Birmingham have been using plastic eggs normally found inside children's chocolate favourite Kinder Surprise to hide lethal crack cocaine.

Detectives found the drug hidden in Kinder Surprise egg containers after a raid in Woodstock Road, Handsworth yesterday which netted thousands of pounds of cash and drugs.

Police targeted the house following growing concerns from local people.

Officers found individual rocks of crack hidden in yellow plastic capsules, which are normally used to store the surprise toys in Kinder Surprise eggs. Police officers believe dealers are using the innocent looking plastic capsules to keep drugs safe, dry and also disguise what they are doing on the streets.

The raid also uncovered smaller deals of crack hidden inside a multi-vitamin pills container.

Three men, aged 25, 38 and 37, who are all from the Handsworth area, were arrested on suspicion of possession and intent to supply class A drugs after officers found crack cocaine prepared for sale at the house.

Small amounts of cannabis were also recovered along with mobile phones believed to be connected to drug dealing.

As well as £5,000 worth of cannabis and crack, around £15,000 cash was also seized which police will apply to be used to fund community initiatives under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The raid is the start of a two-week zero tolerance operation.

Ferrero, which makes Kinder Surprise, said that as it was an ongoing police matter they did not wish to comment.