An undercover investigation by the BBC has revealed that mini-marts in the West Midlands are allegedly selling hard drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, laughing gas, and prescription pills to customers. The broadcaster reported that these illegal substances are being openly offered in shops across several high streets in the region.
Arrests in Dudley
Following the probe, which involved researchers secretly filming inside shops in four towns, a man and a woman have been arrested in Dudley on suspicion of supplying drugs. During a visit to a mini-mart in Cradley Heath, a man behind the counter reportedly told the BBC researcher, "I've got weed, coke, everything. Whatever you want, I can sort you out."
The BBC stated that its researcher, equipped with a hidden camera, was able to purchase cannabis on two separate occasions, as well as cocaine. They were also offered prescription drugs. In Lye, four shops allegedly offered the researcher illegal cigarettes and laughing gas. Nitrous oxide was reportedly readily available in Dudley town centre, with Trading Standards having received reports of it being sold to children.
Spotters and intimidation
The BBC observed so-called "spotters" outside mini-marts in Dudley, who were allegedly on the lookout for potential law enforcement raids. In nearby Brierley Hill, two shops offered cannabis to the researcher. One of these shops directed the researcher to a flat above the premises, where drugs were sold by a man and a woman.
Legitimate businesses in some of the affected high streets reported being intimidated by gangs and witnessing knife and gun violence. The investigation, part of a long-running BBC probe into criminal activity on UK high streets, found that drugs including crystal meth and heroin have been linked to more than 70 retail premises across England and Northern Ireland.
Organised crime exploitation
The National Crime Agency and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute confirmed that shopfronts are being exploited by organised criminal gangs that have gained a foothold in pushing illegal drugs across the country. In response to the investigation, Labour MP Liam Byrne, chair of the Business and Trade Committee, said: "We can't restore our high streets unless we take out the cancer of organised crime. It means a zero-tolerance approach to the kind of organised crime that is now doing business under our noses. The scale of it is horrifying and the ease of it is just terrifying."
The Home Office stated that the government is working with police, the National Crime Agency, and Trading Standards to take the strongest possible action against these criminal businesses.
