Three admit roles in Sandwell-based conspiracy to supply drugs

The trio - all in their 20s and from Birmingham and Sandwell – pleaded guilty to their crimes just 24 hours after two women and six men pleaded guilty to similar offences as part of the same operation.

All were arrested earlier this year as part of Spring Safer Six – a blitz on drug dealers and criminals operating in Sandwell.

Those who appeared in Birmingham Crown Court yesterday were:

• Unemployed Arfan Zafar, 25, of Archibald Road, Lozells, Birmingham was arrested in dawn raids on April 23. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

• Unemployed Mahboob Walayat, 24, of Westminster Road, Handsworth, Birmingham was arrested in dawn raids on April 23. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and possession of heroin.

• Unemployed Justin Brook, 29, of Grace Road, Tipton was arrested in dawn raids on May 12. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.

All three were remanded in custody awaiting sentencing.

Speaking at the start of the operation, Chief Inspector Jane Parry, from Sandwell Police, said: "We're sending out a clear message to criminals across Sandwell - anybody who wants to victimise people will be a target for police.

"This operation is the result of months of hard work and is based on information from local people.

"Local people don't want drug dealers on their streets and we are going to continue to act on their information to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour associated with drug dealing."

Earlier this month police turned a local church hall into an Aladdin's cave where suspected stolen property seized in the raids was put on display. Local people were then invited to view the 50 or so items in a bid to be reunited with their valuables.

All of the tools, bikes, sat navs, garden equipment and other items had been pre-checked by officers against the national police property database immobilise.com and recent crime records. The valuables could not be identified leading police to believe victims had not reported offences.

This was confirmed on the day of the property showcase when two people were able to identify their bikes and prove ownership. Other items were also claimed after police shared footage from the day on Facebook and Twitter.