NINE people suspected of being involved in the drugs trade have been arrested by police in four separate raids in the county.

The arrests - which included a 15-year-old girl - were made after officers executed warrants at three addresses and swooped on a suspected drug dealer.

Police say 20 crack cocaine rocks, 30 heroin wraps, five bags of herbal cannabis, more than 6oz of cocaine, 80 suspected ecstasy tablets, £10,630 in cash and a CS canister were all seized.

The latest raid on a property in Willow Road, Dartford, took place on Friday night.

It resulted in three people - a 38-year-old man and two women, aged 38 and 43 - being arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. All three have been bailed pending forensic testing.

Earlier that day, two men of 19 and 40 and a 15-year-old girl were arrested at Homemead, Gravesend.

Police say both men had to be monitored at Darent Valley Hospital as it was thought they had swallowed drugs as officers burst in. All three have been bailed pending further enquiries.

On Wednesday, October 3, a man and a woman, both aged 23, were arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs after a dawn raid at Maritime Gate, Northfleet, near Gravesend. They have both been bailed pending forensic testing.

On Monday, October 3, three officers swopped on a 28-year-old suspected drug dealer in Gordon Promenade, Gravesend.

He was later charged with one count of possession with intent to supply and will appear before magistrates at Dartford on Wednesday.

The police have laballed these latest arrests as a "major blow" to the drugs trade in north Kent.

Sgt Ivan Beasley said: "The work we have done since April will have had a significant impact on the supply of drugs in North Kent and sent out a strong message that drug dealing will not be tolerated."