Heroin seized as nine arrested in drug raids

Heroin and cannabis have been seized in early morning raids targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham and Walsall.

Nine people were arrested during Tuesday's operation, which followed a six-month investigation into suspected drug supply in the Soho Road area.

BBC News was given access to go along with 70 officers as they carried out raids across Handsworth, Selly Oak, Birmingham city centre and Walsall.

The suspects, aged between 21 and 60, remained in custody on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, police said.

The raids were led by Operation Fearless, a specialist team set up to tackle drugs, violence, antisocial behaviour and other issues affecting communities in the Soho Road and Handsworth Triangle areas.

It was supported by the the West Midlands Police Major Crime Unit, County Lines Taskforce and the National Crime Agency.

Rakesh Soni, manager of the Soho Business Road Business Improvement District in Handsworth, said more action needed to be taken to tackle drug dealing.

"We need more foot patrols and that needs to happening constantly to maintain that presence on the High Street," he added.

Det Ch Insp John Askew said: "We have been gathering information about the supply of drugs in the area over the last six months..

"We're working really closely with the community to listen to the concerns that they have and act."

The raids marked the start of a week of high-profile activity on Soho Road as part of the operation.

Operation Fearless said the activity was aimed at making Soho Road and the Handsworth Triangle safer for local residents and businesses.

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