An investigation by the BBC has uncovered that buying illegal drugs on high streets in the West Midlands is alarmingly straightforward. Undercover reporters visited multiple shops where clerks readily offered cannabis and cocaine, often after a quick phone call to their superiors.
Undercover Operations
In one instance, a shop employee called his 'boss' to arrange '1g of coke today'. At Cradley Market in Cradley Heath, reporters were handed 3.5g of cannabis for just £30. The transaction took place in the back of the shop, where a small bag of the drug was exchanged. Hours later, a gram of cocaine was sold for £95. When confronted, the shop owner, Akwa, denied any wrongdoing and asked the reporter to leave.
Council and Police Response
Sandwell Council, which oversees the area, stated it is working with local police to combat illegal activity. Some shops were also selling cannabis vapes, illegal cigarettes, and nitrous oxide. In Dudley, the council has been actively working to eliminate businesses run by 'organised crime'. The council noted, 'The council has delivered some of the strongest enforcement outcomes in the country and, to date, 42 shops have been successfully closed.'
Broader Criminal Network
The shocking videos of mini mart employees offering drugs come after a crime network operating over 100 shops, car washes, and barbers was shut down last year. This network used fake company directors to put their names on official paperwork while having no involvement in running the companies. Asylum seekers were found working 14-hour shifts for just £4 per hour. The syndicate was uncovered when two Kurdish journalists posed as asylum seekers and were told how easy it would be to run a shop selling illegal vapes and cigarettes. One man claimed he could make up to £3,000 per week selling these products.
Government Action
During the investigation, an asylum seeker whose claim was rejected attempted to sell a shop to an undercover BBC reporter for £18,000. The Government reported that over 8,000 illegal workers have been arrested in the past year, with 11,000 raids conducted by Immigration Enforcement. More than 1,050 foreign nationals involved in such operations have been deported, according to the Home Office. Businesses found hiring illegal workers face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, up to five years in prison, and closure.
There are concerns that similar gangs are operating across the UK, highlighting the need for continued enforcement and vigilance.
