Six arrested in Black Country raids on suspicion of drug and human trafficking offences

Six people have been arrested on suspicion of drug supply, human trafficking and forced labour offences after police raided nine properties. Officers forced entry at addresses in Dudley, Bilston, Stafford, Burton-on-Trent and Stoke-on-Trent this morning (November 14).

Police said officers found cannabis, cocaine, weapons, mobile phones and scales during the raids. It followed an investigation by Staffordshire Police's child exploitation team into alleged drug supply and the exploitation of children and young people.

A 23-year-old man, from Burton-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation following the raids. He was also held on conspiring to supply a Class-A controlled drug, conspiring to supply a Class-B controlled drug, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class-A, and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class-B.

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A woman, 39, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to produce a controlled drug of Class-B, conspiring to supply a Class-A controlled drug, and requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour. A 22-year-old man, also from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

He was also held on suspicion of conspiring to supply a Class-A controlled drug, conspiring to supply a controlled drug of Class-B, possessing a controlled drug of Class-A, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class-B, and requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.

A 21-year-old, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of committing an offence other than kidnapping or false imprisonment with intent to commit human trafficking, conspiring to supply a Class-A controlled drug, conspiring to supply a Class- B controlled drug, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class-A, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class-B, and requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.

A 17-year-old boy, from the Stoke-on-Trent area, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a Class-A controlled drug. A 16-year-old boy, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a Class-A controlled drug, and conspiring to supply a Class-B controlled drug.

All six suspects remain in custody. A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "We are continuing to target those engaged in serious and organised crime across Staffordshire as part of our Operation Target commitment."