ARRESTS have been made in a joint operation to stop a cocaine drugs gang.

Sussex Police worked alongside officers from Merseyside and Staffordshire to break-up deals being done in Eastbourne.

The force said the class A drug cocaine was being laced with the painkiller Fentanyl.

Three men, including two from Merseyside, were arrested in connection with the investigation.

One faces trial next year while another faces a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court next month.

James Sanders, 19, of Jade Close, Knowsley, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court in the autumn and awaits trial in May accused of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply.

Kevin McCabe, 28, of Pershore Road, Southdene, Kirby, was charged with three counts of driving while banned and without valid insurance, dangerous driving, possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, two counts of making an offer to supply drugs, and assaulting an emergency worker.

A 40-year-old an was arrested on suspicion of possessing fentanyl with intent to supply and has been released under investigation.

On December 14 Merseyside police raided an address in Kirkby, Merseyside.

Three golf ball sized wraps of cocaine were found. Inside the address a number of items were seized as alleged assets of crime under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) including two Rolex watches, a scrambler bike and designer clothing.

Detective Inspector Mark Rosser: “This is another example of our work to disrupt alleged criminality causing harm to our communities. We are committed to protecting our communities and catching criminals wherever they live.”