A DRUGS ring has been smashed by Kent Police's biggest ever bust.

Suspected ringleaders of a drugs cartel on the Isle of Sheppey were among 34 people arrested yesterday on suspicion of supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

At 6.45am yesterday, 83 police vehicles, including transit vans and unmarked cars, left a secret location in Chatham.

The vehicles, containing 235 officers, went to 34 addresses, including three in Chatham and some in Maidstone and Hastings. At each house, officers from tactical teams wore riot gear and smashed doors in using battering rams.

Supt Jan Stephens, area commander of Swale police, said large quantities of drugs, paraphernalia, shotguns, money, an imitation firearm and stolen goods such as mobile phones and tools, were recovered.

"We have broken the local drugs ring. This will show we are taking it seriously and will make the community feel reassured," she said.

Supt Stephens revealed that officers retrieved a wrap of heroin worth £800 from a suspected dealer.

Two suspects tried to escape on a boat in Queenborough harbour, but the police commandeered a nearby boat and chased the suspects. They were caught by officers and arrested.

Crack cocaine the size of a drawing pin head is sold on the streets for £20 and a small wrap of heroin can cost £10.

Supt Stephens said through the success of Operation Abstract the Sheppey drugs ring had been cracked.

"It was a major strike aimed at street level dealers," she said. "We have got more than 300 street dealers who deal with several thousand pounds-worth of drugs a week and we have more than 1,000 drug users in the area.

"Some people have a £100-a-day crack habit. The drugs come from the Medway Towns and London."

She said it was like ordering a home pizza delivery, except heroin or cocaine were the only things on the menu.

Supt Stephens said Operation Abstract had been an intelligence-led operation and had taken a couple of months to organise. She is confident all the major suspected dealers have been targeted.

"Following on from this operation is Operation Academy which is a consolidation programme, whereby we will go out on to the streets picking up drugs paraphernalia and providing education about drugs."