MORE than 30 arrests have been made as police tackle drugs gangs.

Officers launched Operation Dunfold to take on cocaine dealing in Worthing.

In just over a year thousands of pounds worth of drugs have been taken off the streets.

Cash and vehicles from drugs gangs have also been seized during the operation to catch London drug dealers operating “county lines” gangs.

The arrests included one man getting a six year prison sentence for supplying the class A drug.

Meanwhile seven suspects were handed over to the Home Office, perhaps for deportation.

PC Chris Corker launched the operation. He said: “Drugs can have a huge impact on the community and we are committed to disputing the dealers who try to deal dangerous drugs in Worthing.

“We investigate and prosecute those who would bring harm to local people and our proactive work over the last year has seen a notable reduction in those using vehicles to supply drugs to the area.

“We will continue to proactively tackle this behaviour and send out the message that those dealing drugs in Worthing are not welcome.”

Police have tracked vehicles used to supply the drugs, and said 23 have been seized during the operation.

Some £13,000 has been seized, and between £13,000 and £15,000 worth of drugs have been taken off the streets by the prevention enforcement team, with support from neighbourhood team, response officers and investigations teams.

Of the 32 arrests, eight were given a police caution, one was fined, one was charged for driving offences, six remain under investigation, and seen were released without charge for drugs offences.

Police said “county lines” is a term used by to refer to drug networks, both gangs and organised crime groups, from cities like London, who use children and young people and vulnerable adults to carry out deals on their behalf.

Gangs dealing drugs is not a new issue but the extent of criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, and the use of violence, has become an major part of how “county lines” groups have become so damaging, the force said.