A police crackdown on drug supply networks into Kent has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of active county lines.
In just over two years, the number of these criminal enterprises has fallen by almost half; from 82 in 2020, to a current total of 42.
Last week, 20 suspects were arrested as part of the latest enforcement activity across the county. This resulted in 40 charges, as well as disruption to 12 county line supply chains.
The arrests took place during a nationwide week of intensification, involving police forces throughout the country, which ran from Monday 28 February to Friday 3 March 2023 and provided a coordinated focus on tackling drug dealing networks.
Over the course of the week, several search warrants were executed which resulted in the seizure of 555 cocaine and heroin wraps, 1,000 benzodiazapine pills, £20,110 in cash, and eight weapons, including a shotgun found underneath a bed in Ashford. Multiple phones linked to dedicated county line networks were also recovered and dismantled.