EIGHT men from Stourport and Kidderminster, arrested last autumn in a West Mercia police operation codenamed Midas, have appeared at Worcester Crown Court on drugs charges.

Undercover detectives with aliases such as Sophie, Amanda and Ian were mentioned in the 27 charges and an application has been made for them to give evidence behind screens at the trial.

Accused are: Beau Broadhurst Junior, 31, of The Slad, Wilden, Stourport, Stuart Smith, 29, of Rhuddlan Way, Kidderminster, James Roach, 27, of Lickhill Road, Mark Stevens, 31, of Mill Close, Martin Walker, 41, of Hermitage Way, Scott Grundy, 39, of Yarranton Close, Philip Crowe, 36, of Mostyn Road and Russell Bourne, 29, of Malham Road, all Stourport.

Roach admitted supplying heroin on 11 occasions, Broadhurst four times. They were remanded in custody for pre-sentence reports. All other accused were given bail.

Stevens pleaded not guilty to supplying or offering to supply heroin on two occasions. Crowe denied supplying heroin and having the drug with intent to supply others. Smith admitted one charge of supplying heroin and Bourne four charges of supplying heroin.

On a separate charge, Grundy, Roach, Broadhurst, Walker, Smith and Stevens were accused of conspiring to supply crack cocaine between September 1 and November 1 last year.

Roach, Broadhurst and Walker pleaded guilty. The others entered not guilty pleas.