SUSPECTED drug dealers have been arrested and charged as police tackle alleged conspiracies to bring crack cocaine and heroin into Worcester.

Four men have appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on suspicion of drug dealing and/or money laundering offences after officers responded to an incident in The Tything in Worcester on Monday, October 16.

An officer was hospitalised with his injuries after trying to stop a suspect escaping by car, leading to one man being charged with dangerous driving.

Meanwhile more suspected dealers were arrested elsewhere in the city as part of Operation Yarrow, a regional initiative to cut drugs supply lines and seize the illegal proceeds of suspected dealers.

We have previously reported how forces in the West Midlands, including West Mercia Police and British Transport Police, have been working together to disrupt dealers working across county lines to bring class A drugs into cities like Worcester.

However, now more detail has emerged about the work which has been carried out in Worcester as part of Operation Yarrow.

Across the region officers executed 14 warrants which led to 54 arrests to date and the seizure of class A and B drugs including cocaine, heroin and cannabis. Cash and weapons were also seized including knives and Samurai swords.

Motorway patrols acted on intelligence to track down and stop cars involved in the distribution and make arrests on the M6.

Terry Melsom, aged 22, of Birmingham has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin following the incident in the Tything.

Christopher Franklin, aged 35, of Worcester has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.

Shakoor Hussain, aged 37, of Worcester has been charged with the conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and concealing, converting/disguising/converting/transferring/removing criminal property; acquisition, use and possession of criminal property and the production of crack cocaine.

Asgar Khalfi, aged 33, of Birmingham is charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, concealing/disguising/converting/transferring/removing criminal property, acquiring/possessing criminal property and production of crack cocaine.

All four were remanded into custody and will next appear at Worcester Crown Court on November 20.

Officers from West Mercia Police also arrested four men on suspicion of supplying illegal drugs in Worcester on October 9 as part of Operation Yarrow.

Following information received as part of an ongoing investigation into organised crime, a 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old-man, both from Birmingham, were located by officers as they drove into Worcester from the M5.

They were both arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs - heroin and crack cocaine - and were placed in custody.

A 29-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, both from Walsall, were located by officers at a city centre car park and were arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of controlled drugs - heroin and crack cocaine.

Detective Inspector Richard Congrave said: "West Mercia Police is dedicated to taking a proactive stance on tackling organised criminal activity and the supply of illegal drugs within our community. We will act decisively to take drugs and weapons off the street to keep our communities safe from harm. The public have a vital role to play in tackling organised crime and we would encourage them to report concerns to us by calling 101."

Anyone who has information about a crime can call West Mercia Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Information on drug abuse is available by calling FRANK on 0300 123 6600 or by visiting their website www.talktofrank.com, which also gives details of local support services.