Ten people have been charged and £10 million of assets have been frozen after dawn raids targeted a suspected organised crime group.

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate carried out a morning of warrant activity across Kent.

There were 28 search warrants executed on Wednesday, with police and customs officers targeting a suspected organised crime group involved in fraud and supplying huge quantities of cocaine.

The warrants, witnessed by KentOnline, were specifically targeting 17 suspects, with all of them detained as a result of the activity.

Fourteen warrants took place in Rochester, Chatham, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Longfield, Wrotham, Ashford, Gravesend, Strood, West Kingsdown, Whitstable and Platt.

While seven took place in Sussex, three in London, two in Essex and two in Suffolk.

Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci designer goods were seized, along with more than £400,000 in suspect cash, 41 luxury watches, two cars and artwork.

Financial investigators working for Kent Police have since successfully restrained in excess of £10 million worth of alleged criminal assets. This includes the freezing of bank accounts and prohibiting the sale of property, such as cars and homes.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the following people have been charged with conspiring to supply cocaine:

• Lewis Cosgrove, 38, of Butlers Park Way, Rochester
• Patrick Hallahan, 35, of The Drive, Hove
• Kevin Ratcliffe, 40, of Longhill Road, Brighton
• Damion Freeman, 44, of Lenham Avenue, Brighton
• Richard Shelton, 40, of Green Lane, Eltham
• Michael Blewett, 42, of Mulberry Close, Brighton
• Jessie Cockle, 28, of Kimberley Road, Lowestoft
• James Savva, 50, of Reservoir Road, New Barnet

The following charges have also been authorised:

• Carl Crabtree, 40, of Colsterdale, Lowestoft, has been charged with concealing criminal property.
• Daniel Newton, 35, of Whitefriars Wharf, Tonbridge, has been charged with fraud by false representation.

They have all been remanded in custody to attend Medway Magistrates’ Court today (Friday).

A further seven people have been released on bail, pending further enquiries, until Wednesday, April 20.