More than £200k, weapons, drugs and cars seized in county lines crackdown
17:29, 22 August 2019
updated: 18:11, 22 August 2019
More than £200,000, weapons, drugs and cars were seized by police in one day.
Officers executed search warrants at addresses in Kent, Essex and London yesterday, which also led to the arrests of 12 people.
It was a joint effort by Kent Police, Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police violent crime task force to tackle organised crime and county lines.
Two women were arrested following the seizure of £190,000 in cash at a property in Lords Wood Lane in Lordswood.
A Range Rover, Audi and two designer watches were also recovered.
About half a kilogram of suspected cocaine was discovered at an address in Humber Road, Dartford, where officers arrested three people and found an 18-inch knife.
They also seized a pit bull terrier under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Meanwhile, in London, police raided five properties suspected to be linked to county lines and the supply of drugs into Kent.
They recovered items including imitation firearms, knives and machetes, along with up to £10,000 in cash and Class A drugs.
Search warrants were also carried out at three locations in Essex, leading to the seizure of a knuckle duster, multiple mobile phones and more than 50 wraps of drugs.
Supt Mick Gardner, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "We remain absolutely determined in our efforts to tackle the organised criminal gangs who seek to operate drug supply networks in Kent.
"Working closely with other police forces enables us to share resources, intelligence and robust strategies, which we know are making it harder and harder for criminals who target some of the most vulnerable people in our communities."
