DRUG dealers are being put out of business in Worcester as officers swooped to make 14 arrests, seizing weapons including a sword.

In just over a month the South Worcester County Lines team has made 14 arrests for a variety of offences linked to class A drugs trafficking.

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These arrests are linked to five separate drug lines operating within Worcester as detectives from West Mercia Police continue to sever the supply lines which bring heroin and crack cocaine and potentially lethal weapons into the city.

They also say they have had success tackling dealers operating in Evesham.

Worcester News: HUGE: A knife taken off the streets by the Proactive CID team based in Worcester HUGE: A knife taken off the streets by the Proactive CID team based in Worcester

From these arrests, a large quantity of heroin and crack cocaine has been seized both in bulk and street deal formats.

Worcester News: CRACK: This crack was confiscated by Proactive CID based at Worcester Police Station CRACK: This crack was confiscated by Proactive CID based at Worcester Police Station

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We have also seized over 20 mobile phones including two drugs lines phones, £2,190 cash, two knives and one sword."

Worcester News: LETHAL: This knife seized by police could be lethal in the wrong handsLETHAL: This knife seized by police could be lethal in the wrong hands

DS Luke Papps said: "We are committed as a team to reducing the harm caused by County Lines dealers who ply their trade on the streets of Worcester."

Prosecutions so far

The following people have been arrested, charged and remanded in custody awaiting trial: 

  • Curtis Hewitt, aged 25, of Castle Mews, Carterton. He has been charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin
  • Oliver Brighton, aged 20, of no fixed abode. He is charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
  • Aaron Brooks, aged 32, of Bearwood Road, Birmingham. He is charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin
  • Steven Edwards, aged 41 of Broad Lea Close, Worcester. He is charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine).

The other arrested individuals have been released whilst their respective matters are investigated further.

In addition to these arrests, police have run a number of ongoing investigations. This has resulted in seven people being charged with 20 separate offences relating to two drugs lines operating within the Worcester and Evesham areas respectively. These include:

  • Jake Ford, aged 24 of Redditch Road, Birmingham. He is charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession of criminal property.
  • Emmanuel Freeman-Douglas, aged 26 of Grange Rise, Birmingham. He is charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.
  • Reece Young, aged 21 of Harvest Road, Birmingham. He is charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
  • Nathaniel Miles, aged 26 of Heathside Drive, Birmingham. He is charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession with intent to supply cannabis.
  • Weronika Wojcikiewicz, aged 24, of Holyhead Road, Birmingham is charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin
  • A juvenile male has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession of an offensive weapon.
  • A juvenile male has been charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession of an offensive weapon.