Fourteen arrested as police seize £500k of drugs

Raids took place at properties in Shropshire, Powys and the West Midlands as part of a six-month investigation into organised crime

Fourteen people have been arrested after a six-month police inquiry led to the seizure of £600,000 of drugs and other items.

Ten men and four women were detained during raids at addresses in Shropshire, Powys and the West Midlands area, West Mercia Police said.

The suspects, aged in their 20s and 30s, are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, money laundering and involvement in organised crime.

They were detained on Wednesday and are due to be questioned after the seizures, which included criminal property worth about £103,000 and £18,000 in cash.

West Mercia Police said multiple teams from the force were involved in the operation, including officers from the West Midlands and Dyfed-Powys forces.

"Drug dealers prey on some of the most vulnerable people in society and their presence in turn causes more crime such as shoplifting, burglary and anti-social behaviour," said Det Insp Robert Rondel.

"We would like to reassure the local community that there is no wider risk to the public."