More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Police have cleared "county lines" drugs dealers from the streets of two of Kent's 13 districts.
The "county lines" gangs are organised crime networks who send dealers into an area from outside - in Kent's case, mostly from London.
But Tonbridge and Malling and Swale are now said to have been free of county lines dealers for three months after the formation of the County Line and Gang Team in March last year.
The officers have arrested more than 250 suspects, resulting in more than 300 charges.
Detective Superintendent Shaun White, who leads the team, said: "The figures demonstrate the zero-tolerance approach we have towards those bringing class A drugs into our county and trying to take advantage of the most vulnerable members of society.
"While it is always our aim to have as small a number of county lines as possible across all districts in Kent, it is important to note that the number of active lines can fluctuate on a day-to-day basis and that those responsible are always looking for new locations to supply their drugs.
"That is why we cannot afford to be complacent and why there will be no let-up in our efforts to ensure no other gangs can get a foothold in those districts with little or no active lines, or indeed anywhere else in Kent."
Kent's Chief Constable Alan Pughsley praised his officers saying the success was due to their "brilliant, outstanding exceptional work."
He said he his force would continue to take "a really strong line" and the aim now as to clear the county lines dealers from the other 11 districts.
However, the absence of county lines gangs has not stopped drug-dealing all together in those areas.
This week, the courts sentenced a man to three years after he pleaded guilty to dealing cocaine in Tonbridge.
Shahin Miah, 34, was arrested on Wednesday, December 23, last year in Darenth Avenue and found to have a total of 12 deals of cocaine hidden on his person or in his car.
A police spokesman said that Miah was not counted as a county lines drugs dealer, because he came from Tunbridge Wells.
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