Police made 34 arrests, raided houses and cars and seized more than £60,000 worth of drugs and cash as part of their ongoing drug crackdown.

The operation was carried out by Sussex Police’s tactical enforcement unit who made arrests in several places including Worthing, Crawley and Littlehampton.

On November 5 last year, officers searched a Vauxhall Astra in Sompting Road, Worthing, after they smelt cannabis.

Inside the car, they found cocaine, cannabis, and equipment which is used in the cultivation of cannabis, and the drugs and items were seized.

The driver, Ashley Radmall, and the passenger, Callum Sales, were arrested.

Officers then raided an address in Imberhore Lane, East Grinstead, where a large quantity of drugs and cash were seized.

Radmall, 37, of Imberhorne Lane, was charged with the possession of criminal property and possession with the intent to supply a Class A and Class B drug.

Sales, 25, of Mill Way, East Grinstead was also charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with the intent to supply a Class A drug and being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.

They appeared at Lewes Crown Court last month and will reappear at the same court on May 7.

The Argus: Cannabis found during NovemberCannabis found during November (Image: Sussex Police)

Cannabis, cash and phones were also found after a raid in Stanhope Road, Littlehampton, on November 21.

A 26-year-old man and 25-year-old woman from the town were arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and Class B drugs with the intent to supply. Both have been bailed while investigations continue.

It comes amid a rise in drug-related deaths in Brighton and Hove last year.

Office for National Statistic figures show there were 47 drug poisoning deaths in Brighton and Hove in 2022 – up from 37 the year before.

The figures cover drug abuse and dependence, fatal accidents, suicides and complications involving controlled and non-controlled drugs, prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The Argus also reported on four men involved in an Albanian drug gang in the city who were found with £42,000 worth of cocaine. They were all jailed last month.

Sergeant Andy Bryant said the operation had brought results.

He said: “It was another successful month for West Sussex’s tactical enforcement unit.

“We are working hard to make sure organised and serious crime is tackled throughout the county.”