An operation targeting the supply of drugs in Kent has resulted in 34 arrests and the seizure of £230,000 worth of illegal substances and cash.

A total of 22 suspected offenders have been charged with 69 separate offences following a Kent Police county lines intensification week from November 25 to December 1.

It led to drugs valued at £120,000, including cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, being removed from the county’s streets.

Officers also seized around £110,000 in cash, 14 weapons including knives and knuckledusters, two imitation firearms and 16 mobile phones suspected of being used to sell drugs.

DCI Chris Rabey said: "County lines are drug supply networks that bring misery to communities in the form of antisocial behaviour and violence, and the results from this operation demonstrate our commitment to dismantling the criminal gangs responsible and putting them behind bars.

"We simply do not tolerate this type of activity in Kent and remain dedicated to clearing illegal substances and the people who supply them from our streets, for the benefit of everyone who lives, works and visits here."

A total of around £37,000 cash was seized from two addresses in the Snodland area.

Wayne Crittenden, 39, of Saltings Road, and Zachary Bond, 29, of Twelve Acres Road, were arrested and charged with class A and B drug supply offences and possession of criminal property.

Both have since been remanded in custody.

Officers also stopped a suspicious vehicle in Grosvenor Place, Margate and seized 86 wraps of class A drugs along with a machete, three mobile phones and £100 in cash.

Gregory Crockett, 30, of Friary Road, Birmingham, Mathis Ohouau, 26, of Waterfield Close in Thamesmead, and Lauren Sinclair-Sims, 27, of Church Green, Birmingham, were arrested at the scene and have all since been charged with drug supply offences.

Meanwhile, a search warrant was carried out in Norfolk Road, Gravesend, resulting in the arrest and charge of Tyler Frain, 23, of the same address, for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis and possession of criminal property.

Police seized up to £7,000 worth of cocaine from the address along with up to £5,000 of cannabis, around £20,000 cash and an extendable baton.

Finally, a diamond-encrusted gold chain and around £5,000 cash was found hidden inside a shoe at a property searched in the Southwark area of south-east London, linked to the supply of drugs in west Kent.

Babatunde Ososipe, 31, was then arrested and has since been charged with being concerned in the supply of multiple illegal substances including cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.

During the week, Kent Police also identified 10 vulnerable people, including two children, believed to have been exploited by criminal gangs - all of whom have now been provided with safeguarding and support.

DCI Rabey added: "Stopping the exploitation perpetrated by county lines gangs is a priority for policing and we encourage members of the public to come forward with information to help us protect the most vulnerable in society.

"These gangs use grooming tactics like buying children food or clothes to win their trust and make them feel indebted, and it is therefore important that everyone recognises the signs of exploitation and reports any concerns to the police or another trusted organisation such as a school, charity or local authority.

"Examples can include a child travelling alone during school hours or late at night, looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings, or being in possession of unexplained new items such as expensive trainers, jewellery or mobile phones."