Six arrested in connection with drugs and human trafficking after police raid properties in the Black Country
Six people have been arrested on suspicion of drug, human trafficking and forced labour offences after police searched nine properties including in the Black Country.
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Officers forced entry to addresses in Dudley, Bilston, Stafford, Burton-on-Trent and Stoke-on-Trent on Thursday (November 14) morning.
Inside the properties they found cocaine and items including weapons, mobile phones and scales.
It comes after an investigation by Staffordshire Police's child exploitation team into alleged drug supply and the exploitation of children and young people.
A 39-year-old woman, from the Stafford area, 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 the Stafford area, was arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug and conspiring to supply a controlled drug of class B.
He was further arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug of class A, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B, as well as requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
A 21-year-old, from the Stafford area, 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 and conspiring to supply a class B controlled drug.
He was also arrested on suspicion of 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 16-year-old boy, also from the Stafford area, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug, and conspiring to supply a class B controlled drug.
A 23-year-old man, from the Burton-on-Trent area, and a 17-year-old boy, from the Stoke-on-Trent area, were also arrested after the property searches.
In a statement on Thursday, Staffordshire Police said the suspects will all be questioned in custody.
