Police served a closure notice on a suspected crackhouse in East Malling early this morning.

About 30 officers carried out the warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at the house in Carnation Crescent at about 7am.

Police, who believe the property was being used for multiple drugs offences, will now apply to magistrates for a closure order within 48 hours which will seal the house up for a minimum of three months.

Ch Insp Tony Thomas, district chief inspector for Tonbridge and Malling, said: “This is only the second time we’ve used this legislation in West Kent.

“We could not have served the notice without the help and support of the local community. The matter is now in the hands of magistrates who will hear the application for the closure order and consider the evidence put before them.”

At the same time, two other warrants were carried out in Addison Close and Bondfield Road, East Malling, and three arrests were made, linked to the Carnation Crescent operation.

One man was arrested for possession of drugs at Addison Close, while a man and a woman were arrested for handling stolen goods at Bondfield Road and property was seized.