Two people from Orpington are among nine who have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to supply and import class A drugs.

Detectives are working on an investigation on the national distribution of class A drugs, believed to have been between March 2020 and December 2021.

A series of planned searches took place during the early hours of this morning (October 18) at homes in Orpington, Margate, Sunderland, and Stockton-on-Tees.

They were carried out with the help of other forces across the UK.

In total, nine people were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to supply and import class A drugs.

Officers seized cash, phones, vehicles, and high-value items such as Rolex watches during the searches.

Those arrested and taken into custody are:

• A 31-year-old man during a search warrant in Berrylands, Orpington

• A 36-year-old man during a search warrant in Westbrook Avenue, Margate

• A 49-year-old man during a search warrant in Ravenna Road, Sunderland

• A 41-year-old man during a search warrant in Meadow Court, Stockton-on-Tees

• A 40-year-old woman during a search warrant in Broadwater Gardens, Orpington.

Two men aged 33, another aged 30, and a fourth man, aged 35, were also arrested and interviewed in connection with this investigation.

They remain in prison where they are already serving sentences for unrelated offences.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “Nine people have been arrested following dawn warrants across the country as part of ongoing enquiries into the importation of drugs.

“Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are leading the investigation, which also concerns the national distribution of class A drugs, believed to have been committed between March 2020 and December 2021.

“On Wednesday 18 October 2023 a series of planned searches took place during the early hours at properties in Margate, Orpington, Sunderland, and Stockton-on-Tees. They were carried out with the assistance of other forces across the country.

“In total nine people were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to supply and import class A drugs. Officers seized cash, phones, vehicles, and high-value items such as Rolex watches during the searches.

“Those arrested were:

• A 31-year-old man during a search warrant in Berrylands, Orpington • A 36-year-old man during a search warrant in Westbrook Avenue, Margate

• A 49-year-old man during a search warrant in Ravenna Road, Sunderland

• A 41-year-old man during a search warrant in Meadow Court, Stockton-on-Tees

• A 40-year-old woman during a search warrant in Broadwater Gardens, Orpington.

“Two men aged 33, another aged 30, and a fourth man, aged 35, were also arrested and interviewed in connection with this investigation. They remain in prison where they are already serving sentences for unrelated offences.

“All those taken into custody remain there whilst enquiries are ongoing.”