DRUGS and cash worth many thousands of pounds have been seized and 11 charged after police swooped on a Worcester-based gang.

The gang has been targeted by West Mercia Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit in a year-long investigation.

It is thought to have been active since 2008 dealing in heroin, crack, amphetamines and cannabis.

During the investigation, the unit has arrested 20 suspects, and seized drugs with a street value of about £100,000 and more than £100,000 in cash.

This week saw 11 people arrested. Eight of them have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

This brings to 11 the total charged; three others from Birmingham were arrested and charged in January.

Detective Inspector Carl Moore, who led the operation, said: “We believe our investigation has uncovered an organised crime group involved in a widespread conspiracy to supply controlled drugs that also resulted in a number of incidents of violence and intimidation.

“More than 12 months of work has gone into the operation, but there is much more to do as we and our partners at the CPS bring a large number of suspects to court. We are also working towards further charges and a number of suspects remain on police bail while inquires continue.”

Of the eight defendants charged this week, two men were due to appear at Worcester Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Friday), and two men and a woman in her 30s were released on police bail to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in two weeks time.

Three have appeared and been remanded on bail. Three have not yet appeared.