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Arrests in Ramsgate, Canterbury and Chatham in county lines drugs crackdown
13:11, 24 May 2019
updated: 13:17, 24 May 2019
Thousands of pounds in cash, cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA have been seized during the latest crackdown on county lines drugs gangs.
A 30-year-old man and 25-year-old woman, both from Ramsgate, were arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply following a raid on an address in Princess Margaret Avenue last Thursday.
At the property, officers found heroin almost 140 grams of suspected cocaine, £4,000 in cash, scales and mobile phones.
Three more people were arrested on Saturday after police discovered substances believed to be cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA while searching a vehicle in Military Road, Canterbury.
A man and two teenage boys were taken into custody.
Four men were also detained in Chatham on Wednesday, May 15, after police searched a home in Eldon Street.
Ten wraps of suspected heroin were later found concealed in one of the suspect’s clothing.
The arrests were made during a week-long operation tackling drug dealing across county boundaries.
Det Insp Steve Mclean, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "We are working relentlessly to identity and tackle individuals associated with gangs, whose activities are generally linked to the supply of drugs, which can pose significant risks to our communities.
"Our use of both uniformed and plain clothes officers is already making it very hard for these people to gain a foothold anywhere in Kent and there will be no let-up in our determination to keep them of our streets.
"This week of action is in addition to our sustained and co-ordinated focus on the activity of any county lines related offenders, with robust and rigorous enforcement.
"The operation has achieved some promising results and we hope our subsequent enquiries will see a significant number of suspects brought before the courts.
"We also continue to need your help, so remember to report any suspicious behaviour.
"By continuing to work together we not only ensuring Kent remains a safe place to live but we are getting the message through to criminals that there is no hiding place from the law."
Throughout the week officers also visited people at risk of being exploited by county lines networks.
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