Force hails large drugs crackdown

A 10-day drugs crackdown in Brighton and Hove has seen nearly 70 people arrested and large quantities of crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis seized.

Sussex Police have revealed the results of Operation Nine, the coordinated targeting of drug dealers and users, which began on 24 October.

The force said an average of 100 officers had been involved in raids across the city every weekday.

The operation was the result of a four-month intelligence operation.

Sussex Police said 42 people had been charged with supplying controlled drugs.

A further 26 people were arrested for related crimes, such as cultivation of cannabis, burglary, robbery or being a wanted person.

'Fund addictions'

Officers have found 1kg of heroin, 16kg of cannabis, 850g of amphetamines and an as yet unidentified quantity of crack cocaine.

They also discovered firearms ammunition, cash, stolen credit cards and shoplifted items.

Det Ch Insp Graham Bartlett said the overall aim had been to tackle the high level of drug overdose deaths in the city.

"The fact there are such high numbers of addicts means that there is a huge impact on all the people in the city," he said.

"We know the vast majority of burglaries, robberies, theft and vehicle crime are committed to enable drug users to fund their addictions."

Ch Supt Jeremy Paine said Operation Nine was "just the start" in tackling the drug problem.

He said dealers would be locked up, while £112,000 of government money would be used to offer care and support to drug users.