A TOTAL of 75 suspected heroin and crack cocaine dealers have now been arrested after the final wave of raids in Kent's biggest anti-drugs operation (Christina Qvistgaard writes).

More than 100 officers swooped on addresses across Medway just after dawn today - the third raid in 10 days.

The 75 arrests were made during the course of the three raids, 16 of them carried out today. The arrest phase of the operation is the culmination of six months of covert police work.

Before convoys of police vans, evidence gathering teams and dog handlers headed out on their missions today, officers were briefed.

Ch Insp John Frayne asked the teams to search their target addresses for mobile phones, laptops and other evidence to support cases against the suspected dealers.

He added: "We expect to have taken out a number of complete networks across the Medway Towns and we will have made a significant impact on the criminal patterns and behaviours. Hopefully Kent will be a better place after we finish."

One team headed for a terraced house in Seaview Road, Gillingham. Twelve officers in stab-proof vests waited for the final go-ahead before smashing through the door with a battering ram.

It took officers less than 20 seconds to secure the house after storming through the door. Inside the team found four people. Two men were arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. The suspects were taken to Chatham Police Station for questioning.

Today's operation was preceded by two others raids. On Monday, March 1, a raid was co-ordinated with a similar operation by the Metropolitan Police and officers from around Kent headed out again on Thursday March 4.

Follow-up work has been taking place throughout Medway and will continue for the foreseeable future. Magistrates courts in Medway and Dartford have been busier than normal with the extra workload.

Speaking after the bulk of today's arrests had been made, Det Supt Andy Gent said the operation had been successful. He added: "There will be more than 20 addresses being searched. We have arrested 16 people so far today, 14 of whom were targets and further arrests are expected."