Drugs worth millions of pounds seized in Scotland as serious organised crime disruption continues

Drugs worth millions of pounds have been seized in a police operation tackling serious organised crime.

Police Scotland figures show that millions of pounds worth of illegal drugs were seized between July and September 2023.

The Quarter 2 2023-24 Performance Report details activity by officers across the country, which saw cocaine, heroin and cannabis as well as quantities of cash being recovered. A number of arrests were also made.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Police Scotland is committed to disrupting the activities of organised criminals, who trade in misery by selling and supplying illegal drugs, and making Scotland a hostile environment for them to operate.

“Our role, working in partnership with other others including the members of the country’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, is vital in preventing these drugs reaching our streets and adding to the terrible toll of drugs deaths.

“Activity detailed in the latest Performance Report underlines our commitment to reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities.

“The seizures will impact the activities of those involved and help keep our communities safe.”

Activity between July and September 2023 included:

Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the production and supply of illegal drugs after a pill press and nearly one million tablets – with a street value of £1m – were seized from an address in Midlothian.

Herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £500,000 was recovered after officers stopped a vehicle on the M74. A man has been arrested and charged.

In Catrine, East Ayrshire, a man and a woman were arrested and charged following the seizure of cannabis, with an estimated five-figure street value. A sum of cash was also recovered.

Officers arrested and charged two men in Aberdeen after cannabis cultivations worth around £800,000 were discovered.

In Aberlour, cocaine worth around £250,000 was recovered from a property and in the Bridge of Don area £333,000 worth of cannabis was seized.

Searches in Monifieth and Dundee saw around £950,000 of drugs including diazepam, heroin and cocaine recovered and two men arrested.

Two large-scale cannabis farms were discovered in Glasgow and Livingston. The plants had a combined value of between £80,000 and £600,000 and a man has been arrested and charged.