EIGHT more people have been arrested in Kent today as part of a massive police operation targeting class A drug dealers.

Police arrested 13 people during dawn raids on 14 addresses in West Kent this morning, including Tunbridge Wells, bringing the total number of arrests to 21 so far.

Around 100 officers were involved in the early morning raids and 32 search warrants have been executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Class A drugs include Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine and crack. Dealers risk heavy punishment - the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

The raids came after more than eight months investigative work by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit and local police.

Detective Inspector Tom Richards said: “Profiting from the misery of others' drug addiction is immoral.

“Drug dealers have no conscience whatsoever and decent people in the community do not want them operating in their neighbourhood.

“Today's operation is testament to the continuing work by Kent Police to break up drug networks, disrupt the trade and bring suppliers and dealers to justice.”

The arrests follow a similar operation in Dover and Folkestone in September, where 48 addresses were searched resulting in 40 arrests.

DI Richards added: “Dealers must realise drug supply is a risky business in a number of ways. All involved in the supply chain are no more than unscrupulous criminals, their customers potentially desperate addicts and the police could always be that one step away from putting them out of business and in prison for a very long time.”

All those arrested were taken to undisclosed police stations for interview. Police said specialist help will be offered to those arrested who have a drug dependency.

Searches at a number of addresses continue, and neighbourhood policing teams will be on patrol to offer support and advice to any residents in areas where the arrests were made.