Four arrested in West Bromwich raids on suspected drug dealers

Around 60 officers targeted five properties in Burlington Road, Roebuck Lane and Ida Road during the raids shortly before 6am.

Four men, two aged 20, one aged 21 and one 25 were arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and were being questioned by police today.

Searches were being carried out at the addresses by police and sniffer dogs, while a drugs field testing officer was also in attendance.

A commercial premises in Potters Lane, Wednesbury was due to be raided later this morning.

The raids were part of Operation Orca to target organised drugs gangs and anti social behaviour in West Bromwich.

Meanwhile, police community support officers on bikes were also assisting by searching for cars used by the suspected dealers. At least four vehicles believed to have connections to the gang were located in surrounding roads and were also being searched throughout the day.

Under the operation police were responding to reports of concerns about drug dealing on street corners and anti social behaviour from concerned members of the community.

Inspector Akeel Najib, from the Sandwell Neighbourhood Team, said today: "Intelligence has been coming in for some while and we have been building a picture to put us in a position to take action.

"Today's operation is against quite a significant group that we have been targeting for some time and to try to take them out completely."

He added: "We carried out these warrants after receiving information from members of the community about suspicious activity.

"We take all reports about drug use and supply seriously and we know how great an impact it can have on a neighbourhood.

"It's not only the drug use itself that causes a problem to communities there is often a large amount of associated anti-social behaviour that neighbourhoods suffer.

"Many people report seeing visitors going in and out of addresses at all hours of the day and night we'd continue to ask anyone that sees anything out of the ordinary to report it to us."

Sgt Kym Jones said after today's raid work would also be done to reassure the community.

She said: "Everyone on the streets will be delivered a leaflet to say this activity has happened.

"All those police involved can raise fear and what we try to do is explain and have face-to-face conversations."

At today's raids, police seized class A and B drugs from the properties at which the warrants had been executed.

Meanwhile, the operation also led police to search a property in Freda Road, West Bromwich. At the property 50 wraps of class A drugs and scales were seized.

Inspector Najib added: "We are very pleased and it was because of the vehicles being searched that led us to another address. This is going to be an ongoing operation."

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for town and neighbourhood services, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, also welcomed today's operation.

He said: "I welcome this. The police are doing an excellent job they have done a number of raids targeting drug dealers and I am really pleased."