A Kent man has been arrested during dawn raids targeting criminals police believe are trafficking young children to bring class A drugs into the county.

Four warrants were executed at addresses near Canterbury and in Folkestone today as part of a huge operation across southern England.

The major intelligence-led operation saw a 32-year-old Kent man among eight arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, inciting supply of class A drugs, child trafficking and money laundering.

Warrants were carried out at 11 properties – including two in Wadden Hall, Petham; one in Kings Road, Aylesham; and another in Trinity Gardens, Folkestone.

Officers seized £1,500 from one of the Petham addresses under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Elsewhere, a large amount of crack cocaine and what is believed to be a press used to package drugs are said to have been recovered.

The warrants were executed by around 250 officers, including those in Kent, in the Met Police-led operation.

"The use of teenagers to commit those crimes is despicable and would have far reaching consequences for them, as well as the public..." - Supt Andrea Bishop

Kent Police Supt Andrea Bishop said: "Drug related crimes have a major negative impact on the local and wider community.

"The use of teenagers to commit those crimes is despicable and would have far reaching consequences for them, as well as the public.

"Kent Police has a good track record of monitoring and disrupting cross border crimes and by working closely with our law enforcement colleagues in other forces, we have been able to ensure that people can safely go about their business in Kent.

"Kent is the gateway to the UK and Europe and criminals may think that because of our location we are a soft touch. We are not. Our message to anyone who thinks they can pedal their crimes in our county is do so at your own risk.

"We are watching you, we have the expertise and resources to be one step ahead of you and we will arrest you and bring you before the courts."