Five arrests have been made after 12 search warrants targetting a county line in Kent were carried out.

Officers executed the warrants in Gravesend yesterday morning and siezed a quantity of cash and class A drugs in the process.

Police executing a warrant in Gravesend

It comes amid a crackdown on county lines, where drugs are shipped from the capital and dealt in commuter towns.

As a result of the operation by Kent Police's North Kent Raptor team, two men have been charged and remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court this morning.

Alex Oni, 30, of Marina Drive, Northfleet was charged with conspiring to supply a class A drug, while Brandon Jones, 21, of Thistledown, Gravesend, was charged with possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Superintendent Mick Gardner, police's lead on county lines enforcement, said: "If you are involved in county lines drug dealing make no mistake, Kent Police has the resources, intelligence and expertise to target you and pursue justice.

"Everyone has a role to play in stopping drug dealing across Kent..." - Sup Int Mick Gardner

"Such enforcement activity however is only a small part of our efforts to keep people safe.

"We know vulnerable young people, and people misusing drugs, can be groomed by organised offenders who use the promise of easy money, or intimidation, to coerce them into supplying drugs.

"To help stop this behaviour, numerous interventions have been made today and individual safeguarding plans will be put in place to help protect these vulnerable individuals from further harm.

"Everyone has a role to play in stopping drug dealing across Kent and I would encourage anyone suspicious of drug dealing activity to report it to us so we can take the necessary action."

Specialist officers worked alongside partner agencies to identify and safeguard a number of individuals vulnerable to county lines activity.

These individuals include those at risk of having their house used as a base to supply drugs by criminals, a practice known as cuckooing, and young people who are at risk of being groomed into becoming drug runners.

To report drug related activity, contact police and quote ‘Operation Raptor', or report it online at www.kent.police.uk.

Alternatively call 101 or non-urgent matters, or 999 if a crime is in progress. You can also email: stopdrugs@kent.police.uk

Information can be also be passed on anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

To get the latest updates on ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.