An Eastbourne man was due to appear in court today charged with drug dealing.

Roy Tarbie, 33, of Swallow Close, was to appear before the town's magistrates accused of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Police raided a number of properties in the Eastbourne area last Friday.

Five other people were arrested and released on police bail.

The operation was carried out by the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Eastbourne.

More than 30 officers split into several teams raided properties in the town centre, Langney, Devonshire and Sovereign wards.

It followed one of the largest single-day drugs operations in May when more than 300 police officers stormed 50 addresses and made 40 arrests in Eastbourne.

Senior police chiefs said today they will continue to chase suspected drug dealers until they are banished from Eastbourne's streets.

Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, Eastbourne borough commander, said: "Since May I've let the dust settle but I intend to break the network even further to keep drugs at bay.

"The day was a tremendous success resulting in several arrests. Eastbourne is a family town that is a beacon for tourists all year round.

"We are determined to make the streets safer for people living, visiting and working in the town.

"Our high profile presence during the operation will hopefully send out a clear and positive message.

"We will mount similar operations in the future so that dealers and users get the message that we are intolerant and tough on drugs in this town."

The blitz was funded by the Government's Communities Against Drugs to the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership to combat drug crime in the town.