Drugs and cash seized in `tenacious` Scottish operation

Millions of pounds in criminal assets have been taken by officers during one of the biggest 48 hours of action by police in Scotland.

From 7am on March 13 to the same time on March 15, 400 officers and detectives from Lothian and Borders Police, Fife Constabulary and Central Scotland Police took part in the ‘Made from Crime?” campaign, pursuing a range of criminal activities, including counterfeit goods and drug-dealing.

Officers seized £225,000 in cash, £316,000 of drugs, £25,440 worth of stolen and counterfeit goods and £7 million in assets from suspected criminals. Two vehicles were also among the haul, which was assisted by reports from the public to Crimestoppers and a six-week publicity intelligence-gathering operation, which featured Facebook adverts and targeted trailers to raise public awareness.

The operation acted as a forerunner for the forces’ merger into the Eastern Command of Police Scotland, the single national police service that will come into force next month. The three forces have begun sharing information and resources under the Specialist Crime Division to combat serious crime.

Detective Superintendent David Gordon, head of Serious Organised Crime for the Specialist Crime Division (SCD) in east Scotland, said the “ambitious and tenacious” campaign had achieved a “fantastic” response, adding officers will continue to work with the Procurator Fiscal and the Crown Office to follow up the arrests made with tough action.

“The response we had from local communities throughout the intelligence gathering phase was fantastic and showed that they were not prepared to tolerate criminality in their area,” he said. “The months of planning for the enforcement phase have paid off throughout the past few days and we are delighted with the results, which is a fantastic start for the new Specialist Crime Division.

“Criminals have no regard for boundaries and borders and the SCD is giving us increased flexibility to go where they go and target them where they operate in a leaner, meaner and sharper way.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “This important initiative has built on the good progress that was made a year ago when it was first launched and the achievements of these past weeks are to be welcomed. There should be no hiding place in our neighbourhoods for those who cash in on crime and this will continue to be a top priority for this government and the new single police service when it goes live shortly.”

Kate Jackson, national manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said it had received a 31 per cent increase in calls over the duration of the campaign, claiming it showed the desire to fight crime locally.