Three people arrested in dawn raids across Staffordshire as part of investigation into organised medicine trafficking

Officers with Staffordshire Police have arrested three people in dawn raids across Staffordshire as part of an investigation into organised medicine trafficking. 

Staffordshire Police officers forced entry at addresses in Wombourne, Codsall and Pattingham, with warrants also being enforced across the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. 

The warrants come as part an intelligence-led investigation, codenamed Operation Subaru, by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) criminal enforcement unit.

In Staffordshire, officers arrested a 59-year-old man from the Wombourne area, a 52-year-old man from the Codsall area, and a 58-year-old man from Pattingham. 

All three were arrested on suspicion of supplying a drug of temporary class drug order, or participating in the activities of an organised crime group and concealing/disguising/converting/transferring, removing/criminal property.

All three remain in police custody.

Sergeant Dave Shorter, from the South Staffordshire local policing team, said: "Our involvement in this operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting the public and going after criminal gangs who bring misery to our communities. 

"We continue to do all we can to disrupt the supply of illegal substances in Staffordshire."

Around 150 officers in total were deployed in Tueday's action, with MHRA staff being supported by Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Police, North West Regional Organised Crime units, the National Crime Agency and Manchester Police. 

Twelve suspects have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to sell or supply controlled drugs and unlicensed medicines, and money laundering. 

In a search of 22 residents and commercial premises, hundreds of thousands of doses of medicines have been seized, including controlled drugs such as opioid painkillers and anti-anxiety medicines, around £100,000 in cash, luxury watches and suspected criminal assets held in cryptocurrency.