A DRUG dealer and the girlfriend who let him use her flat to produce crack cocaine have appeared in court.

Wesley Usherwood and partner Shanice Gelly were arrested in Ombersley Road, Worcester as part of Operation Blade.

Both defendants appeared before judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

Operation Blade, part of the County Lines initiative, is designed to cut off the supply of drugs from major cities like Birmingham and Liverpool into smaller cities, towns and rural areas.

Usherwood, aged 19, of Tarry Road, Birmingham, has already admitted possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and production of crack cocaine.

Gelly, aged 22, of Kings Road, Sutton Coldfield has already admitted permitting a premises to be used for the production of crack cocaine and possession of criminal property.

Both were arrested in Worcester on November 23 last year. The offences have been linked to the so-called ‘Kev line’, a telephone line whereby users could obtain drugs by calling a drugs 'hotline'.

The pair, who also face charges of obstructing an officer in the execution of their duties, will be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court this Friday.

The sentencing hearing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.