Two Arrested in Dudley Over Suspected Drug Supply Through Shops

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs through shops in the West Midlands, police say. The man and woman were arrested on Thursday in the town of Dudley, according to West Midlands Police, who added that they expect to make more arrests. The arrests come after a BBC investigation found cocaine, cannabis, laughing gas and prescription pills being offered for sale in mini-marts on UK High Streets. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government was "absolutely focused" on tackling such criminality, pledging stronger powers and more police officers to do so. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) both told the BBC that shopfronts were being exploited by criminal gangs which had gained a foothold pushing illegal drugs across the country. During the BBC's investigation, drugs were readily offered to its undercover researchers, who secretly filmed in shops across four neighbouring West Midlands towns. As part of the investigation, the BBC also analysed dozens of local news reports. From Bideford in Devon, to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, to Belfast in Northern Ireland, the analysis found that drugs had been found in more than 70 shops and linked premises, including crystal meth and heroin.