OFFICERS hunting drug dealers have arrested nearly 40 people amid a crackdown on County Line criminals, it has been revealed.

Between September and December of last year, Sussex Police disrupted ten drug dealing lines – eight of which were linked to County Lines – resulting in the arrests of 37 people.

Nineteen of these were charged and remanded and eight have already pleaded guilty.

It comes after an Argus investigation found found traces of cocaine in seven of the city's busiest loos - with lines of the drug present on toilet seats and baby changing stations.

Reacting to the findings, detective chief inspector Cath O’Connor said: “The sale and distribution of illegal drugs is something Sussex Police takes extremely seriously and our officers work tirelessly to catch the perpetrators and safeguard those most at risk of harm.

“Not only are they harmful substances in themselves, the exploitation and violence which is part and parcel of the drug trade has a devastating impact on those involved.

“We have a dedicated team which investigates drug supply in Brighton and Hove, and works with neighbouring forces, including the Metropolitan Police, to clamp down on County Lines gangs, shut down their drug dealing lines and disrupt their activities.

“Between September and December of last year alone, this team disrupted ten drug dealing lines – eight of which were linked to County Lines – resulting in the arrests of 37 individuals. Nineteen of these were charged and remanded and eight have already pleaded guilty.

“Those results are on top of the numerous drug arrests made by officers as part of their everyday duties, thousands of kilograms of Class A and B drugs seized every year and hundreds of cannabis plants removed from cultivation sites.

“County Lines is also inextricably linked to the exploitation of vulnerable children and we carry out a huge amount of work as a part of the Violence Reduction Partnership to safeguard young people identified as being at risk of exploitation and support them through early intervention programmes that can help steer them away from criminality.

The Argus: Cocaine found at Brighton Railway Station Cocaine found at Brighton Railway Station

“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team conducts regular patrols around areas in the city highlighted as being most at risk and, alongside our partners in the community, carry out daily cuckoo checks on known victims of exploitation as well as ongoing preventative work to protect vulnerable people before they become victims.

“We are also linked in with partners in the community, such as the local authority and substance abuse charities, to address the root causes of these issues and connect victims with the support they require.

“The sale and use of illegal drugs in general, not just as a result of County Lines dealing, will absolutely not be tolerated in Brighton and Hove and we will continue to work round the clock to disrupt and catch those responsible, while safeguarding the vulnerable people at risk of exploitation from this damaging crime.”

The Argus found cocaine in seven toilets and in one case, found the drug in West Pier Arches under the shadow of the i360 - just seconds after cleaning staff had finished wiping down surfaces.

The six other loos included Brighton railway station, Shelter Hall, Madeira Drive, The pavilion, Hove lagoon and Western Esplanade.