New wave of early morning raids on Wolverhampton drugs gangs

Dozens of officers, some armed with battering rams, forced their way into homes around the Park Village and Wednesfield areas of the city.

At a dawn raid in Crowther Street, Park Village, officers were prepared to smash down the door of a terraced property.

But the door caved in at a slight push from one officer. A man aged 65 was led out in handcuffs moments later by police.

At nearby Orchard Road, police smashed down the doors of neighbouring properties in the search for one suspect.

The 31-year-old was led out a short time later, when he swore at an Express & Star photographer outside.

See exclusive video of Tuesday's raids:

A third man, aged 47, was held at an address on Coventry Road, Birmingham.

Another six serving prisoners were arrested from jails including Brinsford and Oakwood in south Staffordshire, Dovegate in Staffordshire, and HMP Hewell in Worcestershire.

The men, aged between 27 and 56, were being taken in for questioning at a West Midlands Police station today.

All nine of the suspects held today were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

They were held as part of Operation Wolverhampton No Deal, which has launched last Tuesday after months of planning and surveillance work by officers.

Thirty-six people have now been arrested as part of the ongoing blitz. DCI Paul Drover, leading the crackdown, said: "As a direct result of No Deal, we've seen a slight increase in the number of people inspired to make a stand against drug dealers by picking up the phone and telling us what they know.

"The public have been hugely supporting and are telling us they welcome our efforts to get dealers off our streets.

"We are really committed to this operation and making sure it works on behalf of all the people in Wolverhampton that we serve.

"We understand that tackling drugs is more complex than simply arresting drug dealers.

"That is why the Wolverhampton No Deal campaign involves working hand-in-hand with partner agencies to help drug users break free from addiction through gaining access to treatment programmes."

"As a direct result of No Deal, we've seen a slight increase in the number of people inspired to make a stand against drug dealers by picking up the phone and telling us what they know.

"The public have been hugely supporting and are telling us they welcome our efforts to get dealers off our streets.

"I believe we're making a real impact taking drugs off the streets."