33 arrested in Hastings drug crime crackdown
Drug dealers are being targeted in a project funded by the Home Office
More than 30 people have been arrested in a crackdown on drug crime in Hastings.
Sussex Police said it was a "positive start" for a project paid for by the Home Office.
The extra money has meant more patrols targeting suspected drug dealers and cannabis factories.
Detective Superintendent Till Sanderson said: "Tackling drug-related harm is one of our key policing priorities in Hastings.
"Project Adder is greatly supporting the work we already do in this area. While it is still early days, the results so far are extremely promising.
"We have been able to step up our efforts in offering support to drug-users, as well as increasing capacity in neighbourhood enforcement teams and detectives to tackle the supply of drugs in the community.
"With such positive early results, we are confident that this project can make a real difference to the town, the lives of people currently dependent upon illicit drugs, and those exploited by drug dealers."
Since January, officers have arrested 33 people on suspicion of drugs supply, drugs possession or money laundering offences, and trafficking children for criminal exploitation.
Those arrested so far include:
A 16-year-old boy after 76 wraps of Class A drugs were found in his underwear. A 28-year-old man from Hastings was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Four men were arrested following the discovery of a large cannabis factory in Hastings. Around 400 plants and cultivation equipment were seized and destroyed by police.
A 23-year-old man from Hastings was arrested after being found in possession of around £900 worth of cannabis.
Two men from Hastings and a 16-year-old boy were arrested after plain-clothed police officers witnessed a suspected drugs deal in the town. Officers seized 54 wraps of Class A drugs and £350.
A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs; officers seized cannabis and cocaine from his home address.
A 16-year-old girl from the Croydon area was arrested after police seized around 250 wraps of Class A drugs. A 43-year-old male was also arrested on suspicion of drugs supply and trafficking a child for the purpose of criminal exploitation.
A 33-year-old woman from Hastings was arrested after police seized 102 wraps of suspected Class A drugs.
A 16-year-old girl from Croydon, a 38-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man from Hastings were arrested by plain-clothed officers after they witnessed a suspected drugs deal. Around £400 of cash was seized in addition to suspected Class A and B drugs.