by Martin Jefferies

Police in Margate and Cliftonville arrested 28 people as part of a major drugs crackdown last week.

Officers were given warrants to make the arrests at various addresses across the area last Wednesday (June 10) and 23 of those arrested were charged with conspiracy to deal class A drugs.

Speaking on the Johnny Lewis breakfast show on kmfm, Insp Kevin Dyer from Kent Police said: “Drug-dealing is a problem nationally, not just in Cliftonville, but it’s an issue that Thanet residents have said is one of their main priorities.”

The operation was part of the Home Office-led 'Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives’ week, designed to raise awarness of the work of the police and other agencies and to address people’s concerns.

David Oliver, head of drug strategy at the government department, visited Margate last week to watch Kent Police carry out the arrests.

Insp Dyer said officers had worked closely with partner organisations to support people who were unable to access drugs following the operation.

Drug support workers would be available to help people in Thanet addicted to drugs, he added.

Those arrested last Wednesday were aged between 16 and 54 and appeared before magistrates in Margate the following day.

Of the 23, 22 were were remanded in custody to appear at the same court at a later date. One was bailed until a court date to be confirmed.