Almost £14 million in drugs seized by police across Scotland ahead of Christmas

Police Scotland has seized almost £14m worth of drugs during the week ahead of Christmas.

Officers say the discoveries mark a record for such operations across the country.

One of the largest hauls of cocaine, worth more than £8m, was made when officers executed a warrant in Bellshill on December 11.

Significant quantities of ecstasy, amphetamine and mephedrone were seized in Fraserburgh, worth around £3.5m, on December 12.

In Perthshire, officers acting on intelligence recovered cocaine worth £1.2m on Thursday, from a property in the Dunning area.

On December 14, £560,000 worth of cocaine was also discovered at a business premises in Bridge of Earn.

Cocaine and cannabis, worth more than £500,000, were found in the loft in a property after a warrant was executed on Thursday in Lhanbryde, Elgin.

Officers stopped a car on the M74 near Moffat on December 17, and a quantity of cocaine, estimated to be worth £175,000, was recovered from inside.

Fifteen people have been arrested and charged in total in connection with drug offences following the raids.

Assistant chief constable Stuart Houston said: “These significant seizures mark one of our most successful weeks for removing drugs from the streets of Scotland, and they will have a huge impact on the cocaine supply across the country.

“Policing does not stop just because it’s Christmas time and we remain relentless in our fight against drugs.

“Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups who selfishly exploit vulnerable people for their own financial gain.

“This work also underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Action like this is only possible with the continued support of our communities.

“Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”