A man has denied being part of separate conspiracies to flood two Midland towns with large amounts of heroin and cocaine over a two-year period.

Michael Porter, the man believed to be behind this, has also denied conspiring to pervert the course of justice, conspiring to launder criminal property, possessing a phone in jail, assault, false imprisonment and making a threat to kill.

Others involved in this case include Luke Allen, from Dudley and Bakary Dibba, from Bournemouth, who both deny conspiring to supply heroin and cocaine in Stratford.

Another man Mark Gomersall, denied conspiring to supply the two drugs in Kidderminster and false imprisonment.

Phil Bradley, prosecuting, told the jury, “Michael Porter lies at the heart of all of this offending. Mr Porter, who went by the name P, led an organised crime group that used trusted couriers and runners to carry those drugs from the Wolverhampton area into Warwickshire by road and by train. Once the drugs reached Stratford they would be stored and then distributed by a network of sub-dealers.

Mr Bradley continued that Porter, expanded his empire to Kidderminster where a couple were exploited by him to hold and sell drugs. It was heard that in June 2015 the couple told the police they feared for their lives.

The trial continues.