SUSPECTED drug dealers have been arrested, a weapon seized and a safe smashed open to get to suspected cocaine during two raids to sever drug supply into Worcester.

The double drugs warrants this morning (Tuesday) were designed to sever the supply of class A drugs into Worcester and Droitwich as part of ongoing work to tackle County Lines dealing.

Worcester News: SMASHED: West Mercia Police smashed their way into this safe during the two drugs warrants SMASHED: West Mercia Police smashed their way into this safe during the two drugs warrants (Image: West Mercia Police)

Now a senior detective has warned that city police officers will work with other forces and are prepared to travel outside county boundaries to put the County Lines dealers out of business.

County Lines dealing is where dealers from larger cities such as Birmingham seek to ply their trade in smaller cities, towns and villages, including in Worcestershire.

This can involve dealers travelling into Worcester or other county locations with the drugs or setting up shop locally, sometimes the homes of vulnerable addicts and users - so-called 'cuckooing'.

West Mercia Police officers joined with a neighbouring force in two drugs warrants at the same time in the West Midlands this morning (Tuesday) to disrupt drugs supply.

The simultaneous warrants involved the County Lines team 'smashing open a safe in a matter of minutes' and confiscating suspected cocaine as city officers, based at Worcester Police Station, literally went the extra mile to take drugs off the streets.

Worcester News: SEIZED: Suspected cocaine seized after two warrants which led to arrests over alleged drug dealing, including in Worcester SEIZED: Suspected cocaine seized after two warrants which led to arrests over alleged drug dealing, including in Worcester (Image: West Mercia Police)

South Worcestershire Proactive CID team, supported by officers in the Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team and neighbouring police forces, carried out the raids in Willenhall and Kingstanding, Birmingham.

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A 31-year-old man from Kingstanding was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and is in custody at Worcester Police Station.

A search of the addresses uncovered cannabis, a mobile phone, as well as an incapacitant spray, which is classed as a Section 5 Firearm.

Detective Inspector Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Proactive CID said: “Our County Lines Team are a dedicated and specially trained team of detectives who continue to disrupt and dismantle drug supply lines into South Worcestershire.

“They will travel across the country in order to do so and will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit to close down lines linked to county lines and protect those who are being exploited.”

Anyone with any information in relation to drugs supply into the South Worcestershire area should contact West Mercia Police on 101 or via the website.

Alternatively, information about drug dealing can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-org.uk .

The warrants form part of Op Target which sees West Mercia Police focus on targeting those intent on committing a range of serious and organised crime offences to ensure our communities are kept safe.