Undercover BBC Finds Cannabis and Cocaine Sold at West Midlands Corner Shops

Reporters visited shops in towns including Cradley Market, posing as customers. They recorded interactions where staff offered weed, cocaine and other drugs on request. The footage shows transactions completed within seconds, indicating a low‑barrier market for illicit substances.

- Akwa, a shop worker, told the researcher “I’ve got weed, coke, everything. Whatever you want, I can sort you out.” - He supplied 3.5 grams of cannabis for £30 almost immediately. - The Home Office announced collaboration with police, the National Crime Agency and Trading Standards to take the strongest possible action against drug‑selling mini‑marts. - The investigation is an observational undercover operation; no control group or randomization was used, so findings describe what was observed rather than proving causation.

The videos suggest that some corner stores operate as informal drug outlets, which may increase local availability and related health risks. Readers should be aware that purchasing drugs from unregulated sources carries unknown potency and contamination dangers. Authorities say they will increase inspections and pursue prosecutions; watch for upcoming police statements or court cases involving the shops featured.