KENT Police shut down a notorious drugs den when they swooped on a run-down former hotel.

Five warrants were executed at Royal Fountain Mews, premises in West Street, Blue Town, near Sheerness, and six closure notices issued.

More than 30 officers stormed the building on Tuesday as part of Operation Bolivia, which aimed to deliver a severe blow to the heroin and crack cocaine market in the area.

Four people – two men aged 31 and 41, and two women aged 29 and 34 – were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. They have not yet been charged.

Swale Police used anti-social behaviour legislation to obtain court closure orders for the first time. Magistrates were expected to review the case.

A closure notice means that those who live there are able to come and go, but not allowed to have any visitors. If they do, both the occupants and visitors will be arrested.

The notices cover five of the 21 flats at Royal Fountain Mews and also the communal area.

Three of the five flats were empty and officers had to force entry. They were greeted by a variety of drugs paraphernalia including new and used needles, bottles for smoking crack, burned spoons and plastic wrapping for the drugs.

After the arrests were made, the evidence gathering team set to work carrying out testing to establish where drugs have been used.

Officers were told the building had been described by Kent Fire and Rescue as posing the biggest threat in North Kent to loss of life through fire.

Det Insp Jon Sutton, who co-ordinates the safer Swale initiative, said: “Residents deserve to live in an area in which they feel safe and free from fear, and I believe we are now one step closer to achieving this.”

He urged anyone with information that might help stamp out drugs to contact Swale Police or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.