Dozens of police swooped on homes across Kent and arrested 18 suspects after dawn raids.

All those targeted were suspected of being involved in burglary and vehicle crime across north Kent.

More than £16,000 in cash was seized, as well as hauls of drugs worth thousands of pounds, during 20 warrants executed in Dartford, Gravesend, Swale and Medway yesterday.

Substances believed to be crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis were seized, as well as jewellery, clothes and a car believed to be linked to burglaries and thefts.

The arrests included:

• Police finding a 'cannabis factory concealed behind a wall in a shed in Gerald Street, Chatham. Four people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply – two women from Chatham, aged 34 and 37, and two men from Chatham, aged 36 and 34. All have been bailed following further enquiries until May 28.
• A 16-year-old boy, 24-year-old man and 50-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs following a raid on a property in Gorse Avenue, Chatham. The trio have been bailed pending further enquiries until June 5.
• A further two Londoners,aged 18 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Both have been bailed until June 27 forfurther enquiries.
• A 37-year-old from Chatham was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and bailed until May 13 following a warrant in Henry Street.
• A 39-year-old woman from Chatham and a 19-year-old woman from Sittingbourne were handed penalty notices for possession of cannabis, while a 49-year-old man from Stone received a caution for the same offence.

Detective Chief Inspector Ann Lisseman, who coordinated the operation, said: "The focus of this operation was to disrupt and deter drug dealing and supply linked to burglary and vehicle crime in the north division.

"Burglary is an incredibly intrusive and distressing crime for the victims but the reasons behind it are often linked to drugs, so by cracking down on dealing throughout the division and targeting those who make profits from, we send a clear message to others that at some stage they too will be targeted by Kent Police."