TWO men have been arrested following a police operation to crack down on recreational drug use in areas of rural Maidstone.

The pair were arrested at the Orchard Spot public house in Spot Lane, Otham, after police detained and searched four people at the weekend.

A 38-year-old man was arrested and cautioned for possession of cocaine and a man of 21 was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled substance. He has been bailed to return to Maidstone police station on November 16, pending further enquiries.

The various licensing checks were carried out around rural villages, including Coxheath, Staplehurst, Barming, and Otham.

It was a continuation of an operation the previous week in Maidstone town centre where two men were arrested for drugs offences after police and partners from Maidstone Borough council, VOSA, Trading Standards and the Department for Work and Pensions launched Operation Pilot, targeting anti-social behaviour and drug misuse.

Rural Neighbourhood Sgt Mick Hayes said: "This operation has achieved some great results and it proves that the police will not tolerate illegal drug use, in or around any of our licensed premises, either in the town centre or rural regions of Maidstone.

"We want to make Maidstone a very difficult place for drug users and suppliers, but at the same time make it an even safer place for everybody else to socialise and enjoy themselves."