A NEW taskforce has been formed to target the most “dangerous and persistent” criminals across the county.

The new Tactical Enforcement Unit was only set up last month but has already arrested a man charged with importing 23kg of heroin and seized a gun during a busy festive period.

Sussex Police said the team is made up of “officers with specialist skills in proactive policing” and is dedicated to capturing wanted and prolific offenders, including those involved in serious violence, organised crime and county lines drugs gangs.

This will be achieved through “targeted disruption, enforcement and patrol activities wherever it is most needed”.

It carried out its first operation on December 16, raiding an address in East Street, Seaford.

There, the team found Stephen Mcateer, a 56-year-old who has been charged with importing 23 kilos of heroin in France.

He was arrested on suspicion of breaching his court conditions and was later remanded in custody to reappear at City of London Magistrates Court.

The unit later carried out a warrant at a house in Rye in which officers seized amphetamine, cocaine and drug dealing paraphernalia.

Three men aged 66, 47 and 37 were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

During searches at their homes, officers also seized cash and a firearm.

The 66-year-old was released on conditional bail until January 15 and the other two were released under investigation.

In a separate investigation, a man who had been wanted for six months for failing to appear at court after being charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis was arrested by the team on December 20.

Quincy Ebanks, 27, of Birdham Road, Brighton, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court and was fined and ordered to pay costs.

Officers from the Tactical Enforcement Unit also arrested a man for failing to appear at court in September after he was charged with drink-driving in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne.

Alex Moore of Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on December 23.

The 46-year-old was bailed until February 21 to appear at Hastings Magistrates’ Court.

As part of its disruption of crime across Sussex, the team has also carried out a series of stop and searches.

During one of these operations in Eastbourne a car with five people was stopped in Cavendish Place.

Cannabis and cocaine were found and the 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of cocaine after failing a roadside drugs test.

He was later released under investigation.