A SUSPECTED drug dealer was arrested on a canal towpath in Worcester and an offensive weapon and deal bags seized from his home.

Officers arrested a 29-year-old suspect on the canal by Shrub Hill in Worcester at around 2pm on Wednesday in a joint operation.

The arrest involved West Mercia's Worcester Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the South Worcestershire County Lines team, responsible for cutting the supply of drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, into Worcester from larger cities such as Birmingham.

This work includes targeting dealers across South Worcestershire, including in Pershore, Evesham, Malvern and Droitwich and other, smaller villages.

READ MORE: Drugs and weapons arrests at McDonald's Drive Thru

READ MORE: Latest on McDonald's drugs drive thru arrests 

The National Crime Agency describes County Lines as where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries, usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs.

You can read Worcester News online with fewer ads and disruptions. It's easy, just subscribe to our news site here. Hurry - our March Flash Sale allows you to enjoy the first three months for just £3

The County Line is the mobile phone line used to take orders of drugs.

Importing areas - where the drugs are taken to - are reporting increased levels of violence and weapons-related crimes as a result of this trend.

DI Dave Knight, of South Worcestershire Proactive CID based at Worcester Police Station, said the suspect was found by the canal in possession of 'a large quantity of cash'.

He was arrested for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

A search was conducted at the suspect's Walsall home and officers found an offensive weapon, a baton, as part of their ongoing investigations.

Deal bags were also said to have been recovered.

DI Knight said: "South Worcestershire Police and West Mercia Police take drug dealing seriously which is why we have a dedicated team, specifically for County Lines dealing. 

"The team are always busy and are arresting a decent number of individuals with the aim of getting them off to prison.

"It's an ongoing battle to keep the drug dealers away from the city, therefore protecting the public because the majority of these offenders carry weapons."

DI Knight said drugs bring misery to the people of Worcester and repeated his team's commitment to put the dealers out of business.

The suspect has yet to be charged with any offences and remains in custody.