The amount of drug-related crime, including muggings, has more than halved in Crawley since an autumn crackdown on dealing.
Police say they dismantled 11 county lines, making 25 arrests and seizing 14 weapons in the 12 weeks to 6 December.
County lines are phone numbers used to deal drugs over a wide geographical area, typically run by gangs from larger cities selling to smaller towns.
Neighbourhood policing Inspector Adam McCaig said: “Our action was in response to a number of violent offences taking place in the town suspected to be linked to county lines drug lines.
“Through intense activity we aimed to decrease the amount of serious harm occurring, reduce exploitation and bring offenders to justice.
“We targeted the whole criminal network from the local drug dealer to the top tier of those managing the network supply. After gaining intelligence and evidence we carried out warrants at homes in Crawley and London, in each gathering mobile phones, drugs and thousands of pounds in cash.
“To date 16 adults have been charged with offences including conspiracy, concerned in the supply of Class A drugs including cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, and class B cannabis; as well as offences of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, and possession of criminal property.
“The targeted work has had a significant impact in making Crawley safer and has led to drug-linked offences in the town, along with personal robbery offences, reducing by more than half.”
The operation was carried out by Sussex Police detectives, Crawley’s local neighbourhood team and Centurion, the dedicated Surrey and Sussex team tasked with tackling county lines drugs.
It also included officers from the Metropolitan police who supported the operation including assisting with warrants in Crawley and London.
