NINE people are due before magistrates today charged with a total of 60 drug-related offences.

Twenty arrests were made at 24 addresses in Folkestone, Dover, Canterbury and London in a major police operation on Thursday.

As well as the nine who were charged and remanded, six were released on bail, two cautioned for possessing cannabis, one issued with a fixed penalty notice for theft and one released without charge.

The latest charges come after another 20 people were arrested in raids on Tuesday in the Dover area. Fifteen of them were charged with 133 drug-related offences.

Ch Supt Steve Harris said: "With 48 properties being searched and 40 people arrested, we have made a significant impact into the supply of drugs in South Kent and sent out a strong message that drug dealing will not be tolerated."