Police have arrested 118 people during their latest operation to clamp down on the supply of drugs through county lines.

Between October 4 and October 17, officers across Kent continued to target those involved in Class A drug supply and arrested them for other related offences such as knife crime and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

The arrest period incorporates a week of activity coordinated with the National Crime Agency and other police forces across the country, to disrupt organised crime groups who extend their drug dealing activity across county boundaries - known as running a ‘county line’.

Working with partners including the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, officers carried out a number of intelligence-led stop checks to vehicles, addresses and individuals.

On Monday October 7 officers in Northfleet arrested a 14-year-old boy and recovered around 120 wraps of suspected crack cocaine and heroin, money and a phone. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and remanded in custody.

On Tuesday, October 8, drugs estimated to weigh around five kilograms and around £100,000 in were seized after officers stopped a suspicious vehicle on the M20. The vehicle was stopped close to junction 4 and carrier bags containing amphetamine were also found. Money was then seized from a linked address in Ashford.

Drilon Dishi, 33, of Ucilla Avenue, Kingsnorth, was arrested and subsequently appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded not guilty to supplying Class B drugs and money laundering. He was remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on November 7.

In Medway officers from the area’s community policing team used stop-and-search powers nine times and made six arrests. The team seized drugs including 160 wraps, as well as a blank-firing illegal firearm and cash. They also carried out visits to vulnerable people at risk of being exploited by county lines networks.

At an address in Windmill Street, Gillingham, officers identified two suspected drug dealers, one of whom had secreted substances which were discovered after a strip search. Two men aged 21 from London were arrested. They were later released pending further investigation.

In the Chevening area of Sevenoaks on Wednesday, October 16, officers arrested a man suspected to have thrown a cigarette packet containing wraps of cocaine from a car.

Haxhi Krruci, 23, of Empire Avenue, London, was later charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs and driving without a licence. He was remanded in custody by Medway magistrates and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, November 15.

Supt Mick Gardner of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "This enforcement activity is in addition to our determined and sustained focus around identifying and tackling individuals associated with gangs and county lines.

"Throughout the county both uniformed and plain clothes officers are working relentlessly to remove drugs from our local communities.

"We are committed to targeting those we believe are responsible for the misery and destruction of lives connected to harmful substances such as heroin and cocaine. Anyone who deals in drugs can expect a robust response. Expect to be arrested and put before the courts.

"We also continue to need your help, so remember to report any suspicious behaviour. By continuing to work together we not only ensure Kent remains a safe place to live but we are getting the message through to criminals that there is no hiding place from the law."

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

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