SEVEN people are due to appear at Thanet magistrates' court tomorrow following one of Kent’s biggest co-ordinated drug raids. More than 100 officers from across Kent took part in Operation Tractor, a five-hour blitz of a dozen houses and flats, six each in Margate and Ramsgate.

Drugs including ecstasy, amphetamines, heroin, cocaine and cannabis were seized and have been sent for scientific analysis. Those in court face charges of supply and possession. They are men and women from Margate, Ramsgate and Westgate and are aged between 23 and 40. Five men have been released on bail pending further inquiries. They are a 40-year-old and a 36-year-old from Margate, and a 35-year-old, a 28-year-old and a 19-year-old from Ramsgate.

Four men have been cautioned. They are a 34-year-old from Margate, a 24-year-old from Broadstairs, a 22-year-old and a 19-year-old from Westgate. One man has been released without charge.

A police spokeswoman said: “Our aim was to target the drugs network that exists in Thanet as it does in almost every area in the UK. Warrants are a very effective way of gathering intelligence. Drug use and supply has a very strong link with other crimes like theft and burglary - one impacts on the other.”

Money, electrical goods, clothing and wild birds eggs were also recovered.