KENT Police have dealt another big blow to the drugs trade in the county with a series of dawn raids.

In the fourth major strike in a year, more than 100 officers were involved in swoops in Dartford and Gravesham, executing 15 warrants at various addresses on Tuesday.

A total of 14 people were arrested in connection with various drugs offences and a quantity of what is believed to be heroin and cocaine – both class A drugs - have been seized.

Three similar operations in Medway and Thanet in 2006 led to 98 people being arrested for drug supply and jail terms handed down from resulting court cases totals 50 years to date.

In last year’s raids Kent Police seized 10 kilos of cocaine, 237 kilos of cannabis and a large number of packages of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine that were destined to be sold on the street. Officers are in the process of seizing more than a million pounds in assets under the Proceeds of Crimes Act.

Chief Supt Gary Beautridge, the area commander for North Kent, said: "We know that drugs feed not only addiction but other crime too.

"People don’t want drugs in their communities and we won’t stop targeting those responsible for spreading crime through this ugly trade that destroys lives."

He stressed: "Our action has broken up drugs networks, but the work doesn’t stop here.

"We will be looking to evict people from their homes where they are convicted of having class A drugs and we are working with Dartford and Gravesham councils to that end, to stop drug users and dealers continuing to blight communities."

Specialist help is being offered to those arrested people who have developed a drug dependency.

Following the early morning raids, neighbourhood police teams are now working in the areas where the arrests were made to offer support and advice to people living there.

This week, officers will also be targeting road and rail transport routes in and out of north Kent, working alongside British Transport Police and other agencies with drugs and weapons scanners and passive dogs to root out pushers and dealers.

The ‘rat on a rat’ campaign, previously run by Kent Police, is being re-introduced around North Kent to encourage the public to come forward with information.

Families, friends, neighbours and colleagues are all being urged to tell the police of anyone involved in the supply and use of drugs in North Kent.

Youth crime reduction officers and neighbourhood policing teams are working with local schools and young people to make them aware of the dangers and crime associated with drugs.

Ch Supt Beautridge added: "The entire policing team in North Kent is determined to ensure that Dartford and Gravesham remains a safe community.

"There are a huge number of people out there who would be devastated if their loved ones become involved with drugs. We are working hard with them to ensure we clear the streets of drugs."

Anyone who would like further information and advice on drugs can visit the following websites:

www.drugsuk.org

FULL REPORT IN THIS WEEK'S GRAVESEND MESSENGER AND DARTFORD MESSENGER