2:18pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Michael Purton
DRUGS raids at homes across north Kent early this morning have led to 22 people being arrested.
Ten teams of Kent police officers targeted 26 addresses across Dartford, Gravesham and south east London.
They seized tablets believed to be amphetamine sulphate, five cannabis plants, a small amount of cannabis resin, a large quantity of mobile phones, a stolen motorcycle and cash.
The 22 people arrested are all being questioned at north Kent police station on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs.
A Kent police spokeswoman said: “The day of action was planned to disrupt a number of drugs networks involving suppliers and users across Dartford and Gravesham.
“It is the culmination of around four months’ work and intelligence-led investigation.”
As part of the operation, police neighbourhood teams will be out and about in the communities where addresses have been targeted, with information about today’s activity.
Mobile police stations have also been set up in Dartford and Gravesend town centres to inform people about what has been happening and to gather further information about any criminal activity.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pughsley, responsible for specialist operations, said: “Kent police continues to target those people who cause the most harm to our communities.
“Drug dealing is a blight on our society and feeds other crimes such as burglary and theft.
“We are determined to do all that we can to stop this activity and we work constantly to disrupt these criminal groups and stop them getting a foothold in the area.
“They create havoc and misery and it is down to vital information from people in the community that we have been able to make these arrests today.
“By targeting key offenders and placing them before the courts, Kent police and partner agencies have driven crime in north Kent down by 33 per cent over the past four years.”
If you have any information or concerns about criminal activity where you live, contact your local neighbourhood policing team on 01622 690690 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Listen to an interview with Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pughsley
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