A MASSIVE undercover operation swung into action today as police officers carried out Kent's biggest drugs bust.

More than 30 homes were raided early this morning by hundreds of police officers.

The officers and their convoy of 48 vehicles met at a secret location in Chatham before setting off the the dawn raid whch concentrated on the Isle of Sheppey.

Suspected drugs users and dealers were roughly awoken as officers wearing riot gear smashed in doors using enforcers.

People were arrested and hypodermic needles and other drugs paraphernalia seized.

Just before the police convoy left the meeting point, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Philpott, said Operation Kickstart was the biggest one of its kind. He urged officers to act with caution and precision.

“We are looking to arrest people for supplying Class A drugs. We hope to make an impact on these suppliers.

“It is a huge operation and we have invested a great deal of time and effort.”

The first call was in Strode Crescent, Sheerness, where officers from the tactical team smashed down a front door at 7.30am, shouting “Police. Open up".

A couple in the house were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs, before being handcuffed and taken to separate police stations in Sittingbourne and Sheerness.

Sgt Phil Pryce led a team of five officers who painstakingly searched the filthy house. Paint was peeling off the walls and two dirty mattresses lay across the living room floor.

Toys were scattered around the house, though no child was found on the premises, along with the drug paraphernalia.

More than 30 needles were found scattered in the kitchen and spoons were also discovered containing drug resin.

Sgt Pryce said: “We often find the drugs in freezers, hidden in bags of peas, in the bottom of dustbins and sometimes even hidden in nappies.

“It’s also common for them to hide drugs in their body orifices.”

*More on this story as we receive it. Full report in today's Medway Today