Stories

Thu, 23 Apr 2026

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 Watch: BBC goes undercover at mini-mart selling drugs

BBC UK editor Ed Thomas confronts a shopkeeper secretly filmed selling cannabis and cocaine to one of our researchers.

* A BBC investigation found that cocaine and cannabis were being sold openly in High Street mini-marts across the West Midlands.
* Undercover researchers secretly filmed at one shop called Cradley Market, where a worker named Akwa offered to sell them 3.5g of cannabis for £30.
* Akwa also claimed to have cocaine available and said "whatever you want, I can sort you out" when speaking with the researcher.
* When confronted about selling drugs by the BBC's UK Editor Ed Thomas, Akwa denied any wrongdoing and asked him and his team to leave.
* The Home Office has stated that it is working with police, the National Crime Agency, and Trading Standards to take action against these businesses.
* West Midlands Police have also said they will work with partners to address complaints about illegal drugs sales and anti-social behavior.