Six suspected members of Birmingham gang The Johnson Crew have been arrested and charged as part of a police operation to smash the city’s drugs trade.

And among the items recovered by police was a sub-machine gun capable of firing 500 rounds a minute.

Detectives who swooped on the suspected heroin dealers over the last 10 days believe they have driven a wedge into the Class A drugs market in Erdington.

Then they targeted the next link in the chain – those suspected of dealing in goods stolen to pay for drugs – in two-pronged co-ordinated raids on addresses in the city.

Chief Supt Tom Coughlan said the move was part of a continued police crackdown on gang culture blighting Birmingham, launched after a spate of shootings in the summer.

“Part of the intention to disrupt the gangs overlapped with a level of criminality around Erdington High Street,” said Chief Supt Coughlan, from Queens Road police.

“Gang members secured their position in Erdington and had taken control of the drugs’ supply market. Their method of raising funds to support their gang lifestyle was through dealing.”

He added: “We set about gathering evidence to target individuals, take dealers off the streets and impact on gang life in the area, returning the streets back to normal.

“As a result we have executed 10 warrants which have led to the arrest of six prominent gang members within the Johnson Crew, of which all six are now charged with various drugs offences.”

All have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

As part of the blitz at a separate property detectives recovered a deadly Sterling Mark 3 sub-machine gun wrapped in a plastic bag and hidden on top of a wardrobe in a child’s bedroom in Nechells.

Chief Supt Coughlan added: “Although gangs have access to firearms, from analysis of weapons recovered it is a small volume and they keep being used over and over again.

“To take one really dangerous weapon off the streets makes a massive difference to the community and restricts access in the city.”

It is understood the weapon is in full working order and has been test-fired but has not been linked to any crimes.

The ready sale of drugs in the area has fuelled acquisitive crimes including robbery, burglary, shoplifting, car crime and theft as addicts look to fund their habit.

It is estimated that for every pound spent on drugs, £5 worth of property had to be stolen.

Thursday's raids were focusing on the second tier of criminals suspected of peddling stolen property but not connected to the drug supply gang.

A man in his 40s was arrested in Chelmsley Wood on suspicion of handling stolen goods, while police executed a search warrant at a property in Erdington where no one was in.

Chief Supt Coughlan said: “We can estimate that the drug supply network in Erdington amounts to many hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“That is reflected in the impact on levels of crime needed to support that level of drug dealing.

“We have totally undermined that side of criminality in Erdington from top to bottom and it shows we are prepared to do whatever it takes to tackle crime.”