Jamie Elkin, 37, from Castle Bromwich, and Lewis Lacey, 31, from Castle Vale, have been jailedLeft: Jamie Elkin. Right: Lewis Lacey(Image: WMP)

Two Birmingham cocaine dealers have been jailed after police discovered drugs and cash stashed in storage units.

Jamie Elkin, 37, from Castle Bromwich, and Lewis Lacey, 31, from Castle Vale, ran the illicit enterprise until West Midlands Police busted their operation.

Elkin was arrested outside a storage unit on Kingsbury Road in Birmingham with one kilo of cocaine, which was given to him by Lacey, in April 2022.

READ MORE: Watch Birmingham learner driver high on cannabis speed away from police at 110mph

READ MORE: Man arrested after shooting in Birmingham as police probe attempted murder

Police said Elkin was trying to get into a storage unit via a roller shutter door with the drugs when police arrested him with the drugs, which were later found to have a value of up to £45,000. More than £50,000 was also seized from the storage unit.

Cash was fund hidden in a tin (Image: WMP)

Officers also carried out raids at two storage containers used by Lacey in the Minworth area, as well as his home address, in July that year.

At his home, two stolen Audis were found, along with £16,500 in cash, and a Rolex watch worth £11,800. In the units, police found half a kilo of cocaine and crack cocaine, £38,820 in cash, and numerous bags for drugs to be put into for deals.

A jet ski, scales, a stolen motorbike, and equipment used to steal cars was also seized.

Lacey, of Chigwell Close, Castle Vale, admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of criminal property, handling stolen goods. He was jailed for seven years following a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on October 16.

Elkin, of Hawthorn Road, Castle Bromwich, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was jailed for five years and six months.

Speaking after the case, Det Insp Amar Patel, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands, said: “This were two significant seizures of cash and drugs that would have gone on to be sold and cause misery on the streets of the West Midlands.

“The quantities involved show that these drugs were being moved at the wholesale level, which would then be passed on dealers to be broken up and sold on the streets.

“Lacey was unemployed on paper but was clearly living well beyond those means.

“A significant investigation involving CCTV, mobile phone analysis and other techniques has led to them now being behind bars for many years.”

Police are committed to tackling serious and organised crime under Operation Target. Their officers and staff work 24/7 to identify, disrupt and arrest those involved in guns, drugs, money laundering and exploitation. Find out more: Operation Target | West Midlands Police.