Gun and Class A drugs seized in county lines raids in Handsworth and Halesowen

A gun and a "significant amount" of Class A drugs have been seized and three people arrested after early morning raids in Birmingham and Dudley, as Birmingham police's County Lines Taskforce continues its crackdown on drug dealing gangs.

Officers executed several warrants on Wednesday 11 November, Birmingham Live reported. Drugs were recovered from a number of addresses and a vehicle, and a viable firearm was found at one property.

Three arrests

A 24-year-old man was arrested at an address in Handsworth, Birmingham. In Halesowen, a 37-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man were arrested at two separate addresses, with the firearm seized at the man's address. All three were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and were being questioned in custody on Wednesday evening.

The force said: "We've made three arrests and recovered a gun following multiple warrants by our County Lines Taskforce across the Birmingham and Dudley areas today."

"Three people got early morning wake-up calls at addresses in Birmingham and Dudley as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of Class A drugs. A significant amount of Class A drugs was seized from multiple addresses and a vehicle."

Protecting the vulnerable

County lines gangs use dedicated phone lines to sell drugs, often moving them from cities into smaller towns, and frequently exploit children and vulnerable adults as couriers, sometimes taking over their homes to deal from.

The force said its taskforce officers carry out regular warrants and proactive operations to disrupt and break up criminal gangs. "This work helps us take drugs off the streets, but also safeguard vulnerable people often exploited by criminals, whether through selling them drugs or using them as couriers," it said.

No one has been charged, and those arrested should be treated as innocent unless proven otherwise.

A gun off the streets

Every firearm recovered is one that cannot be used to threaten, injure or kill. Alongside the drug seizures, taking a viable gun out of circulation is a significant result for the communities of Birmingham and the Black Country.

Spotting the signs

The police and charities urge parents, teachers and neighbours to look out for signs that a young person may be involved in county lines, including unexplained cash, new phones or clothes, going missing, travelling to unfamiliar areas, or new and older friends. Signs a vulnerable adult's home may have been taken over include unusual visitors at all hours.

Anyone with information about drug dealing can contact the police on 101, or report it anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.