Kent Police have dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade across the county, dismantling 18 drug supply networks following a concentrated week of action.
The operation, part of a national “county lines” intensification week that ran from Monday, June 23, to Monday, June 30, 2025, resulted in numerous arrests, substantial drug seizures, and the recovery of large amounts of cash and weapons.
Officers made 38 arrests during the intelligence-led initiative, seizing considerable quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. In addition to the illicit substances, police recovered over £65,000 in cash. The crackdown also led to the confiscation of a dangerous array of weapons, including a knuckle duster, an extendable baton, imitation firearms, ammunition, and 12 bladed weapons, notably a sword and several machetes.
A total of 24 suspected offenders have been charged with 79 separate offences, demonstrating the breadth of the criminal activity disrupted. Police also seized multiple mobile phones, believed to be crucial in connecting drug supply networks with users.
Beyond enforcement, a key focus of the week was safeguarding vulnerable individuals. As part of the operation, 22 warrants were executed at properties across Kent, leading to the identification and safeguarding of people exploited by these criminal networks.
This successful operation underscores Kent Police’s ongoing commitment to disrupting drug supply and protecting communities from associated harm.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Rabey said:
‘The misery that these drugs supply networks bring to communities extends beyond violence and antisocial behaviour. County lines gangs threaten to bring harm to the most vulnerable people in society, by taking advantage of those at risk of exploitation and recruiting them into their sinister activity.
‘The outcomes of this operation show our unwavering commitment to stamping out drugs supply networks in Kent. Only by disrupting the activity of the dealers can we ensure we tackle the problem at the root, and in removing dangerous weapons and illegal drugs from our streets, we continue to keep our county a safe place in which to live, work and visit.’