SCDEA doubles organised crime disruption

The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) has doubled the number of organised crime groups it has disrupted, according to its annual report.

The report said the organisation took disruptive action on 109 occasions, 42 of which were at a high level and caused the most damage to criminal groups and their operations.

In the process, the SCDEA also managed to seize more than 782kg of illegal drugs worth £18.45 million. This included 157.7kg of Class A drugs (double last year’s total), 550kg of Class B drugs, and 75kg of Class C drugs.

There was 50 per cent more adulterants, used to cut illegal drugs to enhance weights and boost criminal profits, seized in comparison with last year, around 28kg worth of chemicals.

The organisation’s investigations also led to the arrest of 194 people (75 of whom were level three criminals), the seizure of £5.2 million in criminal assets, taking £1 million in cash from criminals, and criminals sentenced to a combined 170 years imprisonment.

Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Meldrum, the SCDEA’s director general, said: “By disrupting the locations and transport routes used by serious organised crime groups we make it tougher for them to ply their illegal trade. By disrupting cash flow we can fracture their supply lines and prevent them from doing deals to purchase further illegal drugs bound for Scotland`s shores.

“The increased quantity and purity of drugs seized this year, and the seven figure total of hard cash, demonstrate just how effective that approach has been.”

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “What is clear from today`s report is that criminal networks and methods are continually evolving. But it is also clear the SCDEA and other law enforcement partners are recognising and responding to new methods, and are cracking down on those intent on flouting the law.”