Nine people have been arrested during multiple search warrants across the county.
The planned searches were carried out during the early hours on Wednesday 4 October 2023 at properties in Kent and Oxfordshire.
Officers, including armed officers, entered homes in Maidstone, West Malling, Gravesend, Swanley and Chinner in Oxfordshire, at around 5am where a total of nine people were arrested on suspicion of offences including drug supply and attempted murder, which relates to a suspected firearms incident in Gravesend.
Cash was seized along with cocaine, cannabis and several high-value watches during the searches.
Gunshots heard
On Tuesday 5 September 2023, members of the public called Kent Police to report the sound of gunshots. Armed officers attended and searched the area of St Aidan’s Way, but no suspects or weapons were located at the time. No victims came forward reporting any injuries, but a car was found damaged with what looked like possible bullet holes.
Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate launched an investigation, seized the vehicle, spoke to witnesses, and reviewed all available CCTV. Several suspects were quickly identified and work has been ongoing since, which included the planning of these simultaneous warrants.
Arrested
A 28-year-old man was arrested at a property in Chinner, Oxfordshire, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs. A 24-year-old man was arrested at a property in Westmorland Green, Maidstone, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.
Both men were also detained on suspicion of attempted murder, along with six other people, in connection with the reported firearms incident in Gravesend.
They are:
• A 29-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman arrested in Tovil, Maidstone
• A 37-year-old man arrested in Gravesend
• A 46-year-old man arrested in West Malling
• A 41-year-old man arrested in Maidstone
• A 39-year-old man arrested in Swanley
• A 33-year-old man arrested in East Farleigh.
Can you help?
Detectives are now in a position to make a public appeal for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious on Tuesday 5 September at around 9.15pm or has any information that may be valuable to their enquiries.
Anyone with details should call 01622 604100 quoting reference 46/164278/23.