Organised crime investigation leads to 36 arrests in Scotland and drugs worth £6m found

An investigation into organised crime in Scotland has led to 36 arrests, over £6m worth of drugs found and £1.5m in cash seized.

Thirteen warrants were executed across four police divisions in the west of Scotland on Friday, November 29, resulting in eight people arrested in connection with organised crime and drugs offences.

The crackdown was a part of an ongoing investigation called Operation Silhouette, which began 18 months ago led by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

During the operation a total of 36 arrests have been made including eight on Friday.

116kgs of cocaine; 140kgs of herbal cannabis; 50kgs of adulterant; and approximately £1.5m in cash was seized throughout the probe.

The controlled drugs have an estimated street value of £6m, police said.

On Friday, officers attended addresses in Glasgow, Cambuslang, Gartcosh, Barrhead, Renfrew and Saltcoats, with seven men and one woman arrested.

Six men, aged 37, 32, 30, 28, 29 and 28, were charged in connection with involvement in serious and organised crime.

They are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, December 2.

A 29-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were released pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Sands said: “This enforcement action underlines Police Scotland’s commitment to tackling serious organised crime and the misery that this type of criminality inflicts on communities across Scotland.

“Our officers work every day to protect the public by disrupting the cultivation and sale of illegal drugs and preventing them being circulated on our streets. This is vitally important in addressing the concerns of local people.

“This action reiterates our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work and we ask anyone with knowledge about drugs activity in their area to call Police Scotland on 101.

“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”