A MAN from Oldbury and a man from Rowley Regis were two of ten people arrested in dawn raids in the Black Country yesterday (Tuesday, May 12).

Nine men and a woman were arrested in simultaneous 6am raids across Tipton, Rowley Regis, Oldbury, West Bromwich and Bradley – accused of drug crimes, handling stolen goods and burglary.

Ashley Howen, 28, of Hartlebury Road, Oldbury, was charged with two counts of handling stolen goods and failing to appear at court (in connection with an unrelated matter), while Jonathan Rose, 32, of Wylde Crescent, Rowley Regis, was charged with handling stolen goods.

The men will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court later today.

Codenamed Spring Safer Six, around 100 officers from across the West Midlands took part in an intelligence-led strike against suspected criminal networks selling drugs and committing crimes to fuel their drug addiction.

Safer Six is a long-running Sandwell-based operation which has helped drive down crime levels across the borough to an all-time low.

The other individuals who were arrested – all of whom are unemployed – and will appear before magistrates are:

Kelly Jesson, 27, of Grace Road, Tipton, Sandwell. Charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.

Justin Brook, 29, of Grace Road, Tipton, Sandwell. Charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.

Reece Cherrington, 21, of Wallace Road, Bradley, Wolverhampton. Charged with six counts of supplying cannabis and one count of offering to supply cocaine.

Jaskirandeep Gill, 21, of Middle Meadow, Tipton. Charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Shaun Whinnery, 48, of Beacon View Road, West Bromwich. Charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods and burglary other building.

Stephen Whinnery, 51, of Beacon View Road, West Bromwich. Charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods, supplying cannabis and supplying crack cocaine.

Scott Timmins, 24, of no fixed address. Charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

Craig Wise, 27, of no fixed address. Charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

An eleventh man, aged 37 and from West Bromwich, was released without charge following questioning.