Kent Police arrest 40 and seize weapons in county lines raids

Officers have arrested 40 people and seized thousands of pounds in cash during a week-long operation targeting county lines drug dealing.

Kent Police said it removed 13 weapons, including knives, imitation firearms and knuckledusters from the streets between 8 and 14 December of 2025.

Seventeen of those arrested have since been charged with 62 separate offences, the force said.

Arrests were made in Rochester, Maidstone and Folkestone, it added.

County lines refers to criminal networks that use mobile phone lines to supply drugs from urban areas, often exploiting vulnerable people, according to Kent Police.

“Drug dealers think nothing of bringing violence and misery to what would otherwise be peaceful towns and cities,” said Det Insp Andy Leventis.

“Tackling the supply of illegal substances is daily business for us, but operations such as this help to send a clear message to criminals that they are not welcome here in Kent,” he added.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure they can no longer pose a risk to innocent members of the public.”

Det Insp Leventis urged anyone who suspects they or someone they know is living near or being exploited by a drug dealer to contact police.