SUSSEX Police have pledged to crack down on gangs trafficking illegal drugs into the city after a string of reported spikings.

The force promised to take any reports involving date rape drugs "extremely seriously" as it works alongside Border Force to disrupt attempts to bring them into the county.

It comes after an Argus investigation found a Ukrainian gang offering to traffic date rape drug Rohypnol into the UK, while promising "secure" delivery to Brighton within three days.

A Sussex Police spokesman told The Argus: "Sussex Police takes any reports involving illegal drugs extremely seriously and works alongside partners such as Border Force and the National Crime Agency to share intelligence and disrupt criminals’ attempts to bring them into the country.

"At a local level, the force works tirelessly to catch criminals distributing illegal drugs in the county as well as safeguarding vulnerable people at risk of exploitation and harm as a result of the illegal drug trade."

Sussex Police are currently investigating six reports of women being injected while on nights out in Brighton during the past week, amid nationwide concerns over spiking.

However there have been no reported cases of Rohypnol being used for drink spiking in Sussex recently.

The spokesman added: "While the use of Rohypnol or similar drugs can be used for illegal purposes, in Sussex we have had no recent confirmation of Rohypnol or Oxycotin being used in reported spiking cases.

The Argus: There have been seven total reported spiking cases in Sussex There have been seven total reported spiking cases in Sussex

"Sussex Police is nevertheless fully committed to cracking down on the recent increase in spiking reports.

"This involves more targeted, visible patrols of officers around the night-time economy and local areas of concern, as well as ongoing work with partners such as licensed venues aimed at keeping people safe from spiking.

"Tackling violence against women and girls remains a key priority for the force, not only in terms of bringing perpetrators to justice but also through tackling the underlying issues that drive this behaviour.

"Any purchase of prescription drugs online is not advisable, as the buyer cannot guarantee the authenticity of the medication despite how they may be packaged.

"Legitimate sellers will be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the General Pharmaceutical Council, and will require evidence of the buyer’s prescription."

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) revealed 198 reports of drink spiking across the UK in September and October.

The NPCC said there had also been 24 reports involving some form of injection.