West Midlands Police found 300 cannabis plants at the former Avenue Bar and Restaurant in Rolfe Street, SmethwickPolice busted a drugs den in Sandwell(Image: WMP)

A man was arrested after a £300,000 drugs den was busted and a gun was seized at a former bar in the Black Country.

West Midlands Police found 300 cannabis plants at the ex-Avenue Bar and Restaurant in Rolfe Street, Smethwick.

The force also recovered a gun hidden inside a printer.

READ MORE: Teen arrested after Tamworth stabbing and another man glassed

READ MORE: Tributes to tragic Birmingham siblings who died in Spain as messages say ‘RIP sweet angels’

READ MORE: Parents warned over harmful online content and gangs targeting kids in summer holidays

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis, possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of an imitation firearm.

He has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police said in a statement: “We recovered a gun and shut down a drug den after executing a warrant in Sandwell yesterday morning (1 August).

A gun was seized by police in the drugs bust(Image: WMP)

“Officers acted on information in relation to the former Avenue Bar and Restaurant in Rolfe Street, Smethwick.

“We carried out a raid at the derelict venue and found around 300 cannabis plants, Class A drugs and cash.

“Following further searches, we recovered a gun hidden inside a printer.

“It has now been established to be an imitation although it looks very realistic.

“A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis, possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of an imitation firearm.

“He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

“The warrant was executed by the Sandwell Priority Crime Team alongside officers from our Smethwick and West Bromwich neighbourhood teams.

“It followed information received via the Operation Fearless team in Birmingham as our teams work together to tackle crime.

“Drug dealing and firearms have no place in communities and police are committed to taking drugs and weapons off the streets of Sandwell.”