SUSPECTED dealers in Worcester are among those arrested as part of a police operation to disrupt the supply of drugs.

The operation took place across the West Midlands region, including in Worcester, and has resulted in more than 50 arrests and the seizure of cocaine, heroin, stolen cars, and weapons including Samurai swords.

Operation Yarrow was launched to disrupt the supply line of class-A drugs – known as ‘County Lines’ - across the region, with properties targeted and arrests made in Worcester, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Shrewsbury, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stafford and Burton.

This type of criminal activity involves groups operating from large urban areas to smaller towns and using force or coercion on vulnerable members of the community to take over their properties and to distribute drugs.

Officers from the British Transport Police,West Midlands Police, Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police, and Central Motorways Policing Group (CMPG) worked together, sharing intelligence and coordinating the two-week long operation which was led by the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU).

Officers executed 14 warrants at properties across the region, which led to 54 arrests to date and the seizure of class A and B drugs including cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

Cash and weapons were also seized including knives and Samurai swords.

Motorway patrols acted on intelligence to track down and stop cars involved in the distribution and make arrests on the M6.

Superintendent Scott Jones, of the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), led the operation.

He said: “Adult drug users, vulnerable women and younger members of the community are exploited for their properties, which is sometimes referred to as cuckooing, or to store or deal class-A drugs.

"They are also used for the transportation of the drugs across the country. We won’t tolerate this activity in our communities and will do everything we can to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people.”

Supt Jones said that as well as making arrests the operation had ensured support and advice was in place for drug-users or any identified vulnerable victims.

Detective Chief Superintendent Javid Oomer, of Staffordshire Police, said:

“We’re sending out a clear message to those who want to prey on the vulnerable: we will find you and bring you before the courts."