Cars seized and suspected drug dealers arrested during police operation

A 6 month policing operation involving over 100 officers who carried out around 20 warrants over three days has resulted in taking at least 24 suspected drug dealers off the streets.

Officers swooped on properties across the east of the county in the early hours of Tuesday (19 May 2015) seizing suspected drugs and related paraphernalia. Drug dogs sniffed out hidden wraps of what officers believe to be crack cocaine and heroin. Officers also seized four cars, two from Kent and two from searches carried out in the London area.

During one warrant the officers even stopped a man swallowing 30 wraps of a substance which he had apparently tried to conceal in his mouth.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings specialist teams gave wake up calls to those people thought to be involved in the supply of drugs in Dover and Deal. Using specialist equipment the teams forced their way into the properties before thoroughly searching them and arresting the occupants who they suspected to be involved in the drug supply network.

On Tuesday, nine people were arrested. Officers seized what they believed to be crack cocaine and heroin and four cars.

Wednesday's efforts resulted in seven men being arrested in relation to drug supply. Of those, three were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs and four on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. In addition to this, £4000 in cash was seized from one address.

The final day of action on Thursday saw a further eight arrests and more drugs seized.

Assistant Chief Constable, Rob Price said: "The arrest and search warrants are a direct result of months of intelligence led policing. Officers have painstakingly gathered evidence and information which has allowed us to concentrate our efforts into three-days of enforcement which has taken a vast amount of illegal drugs off the streets of Kent.

"Our effort to combat drugs continues and I am confident that our action sends a message to those who deal in the death and misery of class A drugs that they will be arrested, charged and put before the courts."

Following on from the enforcement action police will be working with partners in the Dover District to ensure the operation has a lasting impact in the area.

The police and partnership colleagues will be using new powers within anti-social behaviour legislation to evict tenants convicted of drug dealing. They will also be looking to impose closure orders on properties where people are using drugs.

In addition to this drug support services such as Turning Point and the KCA will be in the area in a bid to divert drug users to support services.

Anyone who would like support in dealing with drug abuse can contact Turning Point on 01304 248290 or 0300 123 1186.