A CO-ORDINATED series of raids by West Mercia Police have been carried out across the country today as part of an ongoing operation targeting prolific drug and organised crime offenders.

Officers working on the clampdown, codenamed Operation Weld, kick-started the raids in Worcestershire, Humberside, West Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Greater Manchester and Essex early this morning as the suspected criminals were arrested.

A total of 13 suspects aged between 23 and 43 were taken in by police where they remain in custody and are awaiting interviews with detectives.

Detective Inspector Carl Moore, of West Mercia Police, said: “The arrests today are the culmination of a year-long operation aimed at bringing people who deal and traffic drugs to justice.”