A TEENAGER and two men have been arrested for dealing cocaine as part of a new project to disrupt the supply of drugs.

Officers carrying out plain-clothes patrols in Hastings on Monday, September 29, witnessed suspicious activity near Alexandra Park and Gensing Gardens.

Further suspicious behaviour was witnessed in lower St Leonards the following day and officers began carrying out enquiries around those suspected of being involved.

The patrols are part of Project Adder – an initiative aimed at reducing drug-related crime and protecting people from harm.

Officers subsequently arrested a 16-year-old old boy in Gensing Gardens on suspicion of being concerned in offering to supply a Class A drug (cocaine) and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

A 21-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

A search found dozens of wraps of Class A drugs and cash, which were seized by officers.

The Argus: Three people arrested for dealing cocaine in HastingsThree people arrested for dealing cocaine in Hastings

A subsequent search of an address in Silverlands Road, St Leonards, found further Class A drugs and cash.

A 24-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

The 16-year-old boy and 24-year-old man have been released on conditional bail, while the 21-year-old man was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Project Adder was launched by the Home Office earlier this year with the aim of tackling drug-related harm and reducing drug-related deaths in five key areas across the UK.

As one of those five areas, Hastings will benefit from a share of the £148 million investment in the scheme, which will run until March 31, 2023.

Led locally by East Sussex County Council and Sussex Police, the initiative has seen an increased focus on enforcement action against those involved in drugs production and supply, safeguarding those who are vulnerable and at risk of exploitation and treatment and recovery for those suffering from addiction.