Police in Medway believe they have effectively taken out a suspected major drugs network.

The covert operation, which began more than nine months ago, targeted a specific network, believed to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

It culminated with the arrest of 13 people, with around five further arrests

planned for the near future.

During the operation around £20,000 was seized by officers and drugs with an

estimated street value of £6,000 were also confiscated.

Det Sgt Adam Marshall said, 'The operation required a huge amount of hard work and dedication from the officers involved.

"We have been able to take a large quantity of drugs off the streets and help to make Medway a safer place to live and work."

•Calvin Smith, 24, of White Road, Chatham, and Zouhir Ben-Kmayal, 27, of Willow Road, Strood, have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Two brothers who were working within the network were also charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and have been remanded in custody