Six arrested on suspicion of forced labour, trafficking and drug offences following raids

Six people have been arrested on suspicion of drug, human trafficking and forced labour offences after we searched nine properties today (Thursday 14 November).

Officers forced entry to addresses in Stafford, Burton-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, Dudley and Bilston this morning.

We found cannabis and cocaine, weapons, mobile phones, scales and other items linked to supply in the searches.

The enforcement action follows an investigation by our child exploitation team into alleged drug supply and the exploitation of children and young people.

A 23-year-old man, from the Burton-on-Trent area, has been 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, conspiring to supply a class B controlled drug, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B.

A 39-year-old woman, from the Stafford area, has been 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, from the Stafford area, has been 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, conspiring to supply a controlled drug of class B, possessing 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 21-year-old, from the Stafford area, has been 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, conspiring to supply a class B controlled drug, 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 17-year-old boy, from the Stoke-on-Trent area, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug.

A 16-year-old boy, from the Stafford area, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug, and conspiring to supply a class B controlled drug.

They will be questioned in custody.

We are continuing to target those engaged in serious and organised crime across Staffordshire as part of our Operation Target commitment.

Since it was launched in May last year, we’ve arrested more than 1,000 people suspected of drug and firearm offences, alongside ongoing enforcement against the groups responsible for high-harm crimes in our communities.