Police Scotland has seized a further £10m worth of drugs, reinforcing the scale of what is now one of the most significant sustained crackdowns on organised crime in the force’s history.
The latest recovery follows a record period of enforcement activity in December, during which almost £14m worth of drugs were removed from circulation in a single week, sending a clear message to criminal networks operating across Scotland.
While individual seizures take place in specific locations, Police Scotland has repeatedly stressed that organised drug supply routes impact communities far beyond where drugs are recovered, including rural and Highland areas.
Recent enforcement activity has included major recoveries linked to routes and networks reaching into the north and north east, highlighting how drugs destined for urban markets often pass through, or affect, communities across the Highlands.
Senior officers say the cumulative effect of recent operations is already making a difference, disrupting supply chains and weakening organised crime groups that profit from addiction, exploitation and violence.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said the latest seizure underlined the force’s continued focus on tackling serious organised crime.
“Drugs cause nothing but misery in our communities and we are dedicated to disrupting the activities of those involved in their supply.”
He described the recovery as among the most significant ever carried out in Scotland.
“This is one of the largest drugs recoveries ever made in Scotland and comes off the back of a number of other major seizures throughout December.
“Significant recoveries such as this highlight how taking drugs off the streets is a priority for Police Scotland, and further underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Information from the public is the lifeblood which helps us recover illegal drugs and identify those involved in their supply.”
Police Scotland says specialist teams will continue to target organised crime groups throughout the winter, following intelligence and financial trails to disrupt networks rather than simply responding to individual incidents.
Members of the public with information or concerns about drugs are encouraged to contact Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
