A 16-inch hunting knife with ‘Rambo – First Blood Part Two’ written on the hilt was seized along with thousands of pounds worth of drugs during a week-long police operation in Kent.

The crackdown was an attempt by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate to target criminals who attempt to sell and distribute drugs including heroin and crack cocaine in Kent.

The Rambo knife was seized along with £800 cash on the first day of the initiative (December 4), following the arrests of four suspected drug dealers at a property in Gravesend.

Two were detained by officers who carried out a warrant at the address, while their alleged associates were arrested after pulling up to the house in a taxi.

An 18-inch machete was also recovered following the arrest of a 21-year-old man whose car was stopped at Junction 7 (Maidstone) on the London-bound carriageway of the M20 motorway. More than 80 small packets of heroin and crack cocaine were also seized, as well as £200.

In Gillingham a vehicle was stopped and two men from London arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs after £1,800 was seized.

Officers also carried out checks on vulnerable residents across the week, and on one occasion at an address in Margate found a 17-year-old boy hidden beneath one such resident’s bed. He was arrested and more than £1,000 cash was discovered in a wardrobe.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Fordham said: "Kent Police is committed to tackling the supply of illegal substances, which can pose a significant risk to our communities and bring misery to people’s lives.

"Those involved in the sale of class A drugs are ruthless and stop at nothing in order to ply their harmful trade, even committing other serious offences against addicts, rival dealers or innocent members of the public with the use of knives and other weapons.

"The general public are our eyes and ears in the fight against drugs and I urge people to continue to report any suspicious behaviour by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. If you wish to prefer anonymous you can contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."