Eleven men arrested in Wolverhampton drugs crackdown - Birmingham Mail

Eleven men were arrested today (Thursday) in early morning police raids in a major drugs crackdown in Wolverhampton.

Around 200 officers swooped on 11 homes as part of the operation 'Wolverhampton No Deal'.

A 32-year-old man was arrested in Ellerton Walk, Park Village, a 21-year-old man in Snape Road, Ashmore Park, a 21-year-old in Westcroft Avenue, a 31-year-old man in Mills Close, Wednesfield and a 23-year-old man in Kipling Road, Poets Corner.

All were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Six other people were arrested at the addresses during the raids. All will be questioned by detectives today.

Nine people were charged yesterday with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs with eight men and one woman appearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Seven of the men were remanded in custody following their court appearance and will next appear in November at Birmingham Crown Court.

Two people were bailed by magistrates and will also next appear at Birmingham Crown Court in November.

The campaign began following a series of shootings in the city last year by suspected rival gang members. Police mounted a huge intelligence gathering exercise and undercover policing targeting a number of people.

Wolverhampton Police Det Chief Insp Paul Drover, who is leading the operation, said: "This operation has been planned over the last 15 months and we are now at the point of arresting people. We have seen 24 arrests so far and we are really pleased with the success of the operation to date.

"Our aim is to rid the areas of street level drug dealing by not only targeting key individuals, but reducing the demand for drugs by providing treatment to users.

"Over the last 15 months we have continued to make arrests, obtained a gang injunction for one known gang member and diverted offenders from gang lifestyles through a variety of measures.

"We have also engaged with schools and youth services to get the message out to young people that taking drugs, dealing drugs and joining a gang is not the route to take.

"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.

"We are really committed to this operation and making sure it works on behalf of all the people in Wolverhampton that we serve. We want crime in our neighbourhoods to continue to fall and for our residents to feel safe. Communities working with us have told us they want this change and together we can continue to make it happen."

Specialist drug workers will be out in key locations in the city where known drug use occurs in a bid to give advice and talk about how they can begin to stop using.

Anyone who may have information relating to drug dealing in their area should contact their local officers on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.