MORE than 100 police officers swooped to break up a major class-A drugs ring this morning.

Ten people were arrested in an operation covering gang bases in Peacehaven, Bexhill, Hastings, St Leonards and also South London.

The police operation follows a complex investigation lasting more than a year, which has netted 39 other arrests across Sussex and seized more than £2.3 million of drugs. It has also recovered a loaded Walther revolver and a Tech 9 machine pistol with ammunition and silencer, capable of firing more than 900 rounds a minute.

At 6am this morning (November 30), some 130 officers and specialist staff, led by detectives from Sussex Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, arrested six men and two women.

Detective Inspector Till Sanderson said: "These arrests are significant. They are the culminating phase of this major operation, another example of the way in which, working with our law enforcement partners, we are constantly attacking organised crime and frustrating its efforts to become embedded in our communities.

"The devastating effect of drug misuse can have a much wider impact than simply on the person who takes them. It can corrode the quality of life for local communities and affect the health of those who drawn into it."

A man aged 23 and a woman aged 20 were arrested at an address in Hastings. The man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine, money laundering and conspiracy to murder and the woman was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

A man aged 24 was arrested at an address in St Leonards, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a firearm and of suspicion of possession of cannabis and a Class A drug. At this address, more than £10,000 in cash was found in a safe which police had to force open.

A man aged 39 and a woman aged 37 were arrested at an address in St Leonards. The man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to supply drugs and the woman was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A man aged 39 was arrested in Hastings, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering.

A man aged 36 was arrested in Peacehaven, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

A man aged 39 was arrested in Bexhill, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply heroin.

In addition, the National Crime Agency, on behalf of local police, arrested a man aged 41 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class-A drugs and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and a 36-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, both in South London.

Computers, phones and documents were seized for examination and all those arrested are in custody for interview and further enquiries.

CONTINUING CAMPAIGN

Police have announced more action to heighten public awareness to tackle drug dealing.

Social media messaging on Facebook and Twitter will signpost to drug and alcohol diversion schemes in Sussex, inviting the public to get involved in discussion on the impact of drug use.

Posters and leaflets will be distributed locally around the locations of future drugs arrests, explaining to residents and businesses that positive police action has been taken.

In addition the public will be told of cases where convicted criminals later have their profits stripped from them under proceeds of crime confiscation laws.

If you have any information or suspicions about drug dealing where you live or work, visit https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal.