Sandwell Shuts Cradley Market for 3 Months After BBC Exposes Drug Sales
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Sandwell Shuts Cradley Market for 3 Months After BBC Exposes Drug Sales
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Summary
A three-month closure order was imposed on Cradley Market in Sandwell after a BBC undercover investigation found cocaine, cannabis and prescription medicines being sold over the counter.
Last week’s raid at the Cradley Heath shop also seized crystal meth and cannabis, and police charged a 43-year-old local man with possessing Class A and Class B drugs; he is due in court in August.
Trading Standards said it visited the premises 12 times after the BBC inquiry and seized illegal cigarettes, tobacco and drugs, while the council cited nuisance complaints including parked cars, crowds, litter and noise.
The closure lands as ministers consider powers to shut illegal mini-marts, barbers and vape shops for up to a year, and on the same day police chiefs said 300 people had been arrested in a wider crackdown.