A BBC investigation has revealed that cocaine and cannabis are among the drugs readily offered for sale in high street mini-marts.
Secret researchers filmed secretly in towns across the West Midlands, including a shop called Cradley Market. One of the researchers meets Acqua, who works behind the counter there.
It took seconds for Akwa to supply him with 3.5 grams of cannabis for £30. Akwa told the researcher, “I have weed, coke, everything. Whatever you want, I can sort you out,” Akwa later supplied him with cocaine.
When BBC UK editor Ed Thomas later spoke to Akwa he denied any wrongdoing. When asked about selling drugs, he said he had no idea what he was talking about, before asking Ed and his team to leave.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government is working with the police, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Trading Standards to “take as strong action as possible against these criminal businesses”. West Midlands Police said it would always work with partners “to respond to complaints about the sale of illegal drugs, anti-social behavior and crime and disorder”.
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