Twelve people have been arrested after police executed a series of warrants to tackle drug lines.

In total nine warrants were executed over two days earlier this week as part of an operation to clamp down on drug dealers operations out of the capital.

The arrests were made when properties in Kent and London were searched as part of a wider operation which included more than 200 officers from seven forces across the eastern region.

The forces were Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk.

They were supported and co-ordinated by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and 61 people from across the regions were arrested.

Supt Tracey Quiller from Kent Police said: "We are dedicated to removing county lines networks in order to prevent the significant harm these offences cause to our communities.

"Working with forces from across the eastern region shows that we will not hesitate to cross county boundaries to target those suspected of bringing criminality into Kent.

"Drugs ruin lives and by working together we not only ensure that Kent remains a safe place but we also get the message through to criminals that there is no hiding place from the law."

The operation was also supported by the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police.

More than 1,000 wraps of Class A drugs were seized along with amounts of cannabis, a number of knives and imitation firearms, and approximately £20,000 in cash.

County drugs lines is the term used to describe gangs, groups or drug networks that supply drugs from urban to suburban areas across the country, including market and coastal towns, using dedicated mobile phone lines or ‘deal lines’.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for ERSOU, Simon Parkes, said: “County drugs lines have a significant impact on towns across the eastern region and drive a wide range of criminality. This is why we’re working together as police forces and a regional organised crime unit, alongside the National Crime Agency, to disrupt those who run and profit from them and to safeguard those affected.

“We’re really pleased with the results of this co-ordinated response to an issue which causes serious harm to our communities; this has been the product of months of hard work by officers.

"We have targeted those controlling county lines due to the links with the exploitation of vulnerable people, the pedalling of dangerous and illicit substances, and associated violence.

“The success of these types of operations replies upon communities working with their local police officers, providing information to help identify those dealing the drugs in their area as well as those who are vulnerable and being exploited, so if you do have any concerns in your area please do contact your local force on 101.”