Man jailed for assault and drugs found at home

More than £12,000 worth of cannabis was found in two suitcases

A man has been jailed for assault and drug offences, after more than £12,000 of cannabis was found in suitcases in his bedroom.

West Midlands Police officers were on patrol in Southside, Birmingham, in May when they stopped a car with Xiao Long Lin, 28, in the passenger seat - wanted over an assault in September 2024 - and detained him at the scene.

Lin's home on Essex Street was searched, where officers found the drugs in two suitcases in his bedroom. He was arrested for possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply, and later admitted to the charge.

On 12 November at Birmingham Crown Court, Lin admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to two years and three months.

The assault, in which Lin attacked a man with a metal pole outside a Birmingham apartment block, also resulted in a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.

Investigating officer PC Scott Sheppard, said: "A team effort during a fast-moving investigation meant that we were also able to seize a significant quantity of drugs that would have brought harm to our community."

Lin was arrested following an investigation by Operation Fearless, an initiative that has seen increased police presence in parts of Birmingham.

Det Insp Tom Lyons added: "Fearless exists to tackle the problems raised to us by communities – and we know drug dealing is one of them.

"We're always grateful to the community for any information they can provide to us, and we won't let up in trying to disrupt all forms of criminality."