POLICE officers have seized over 600kg of controlled drugs, including heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, between April 2020 and March 2022.
Figures released by the Scottish Government yesterday show that in the previous two years more than 20,000 ecstasy type tablets, around 2,500kg of herbal cannabis and over 75,000 cannabis plants were also seized by officers across the country.
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Over the same period, around eight million illicit Benzodiazepines tablets were removed from circulation.
Local Area Commander for the Scottish Borders, Chief Inspector Vinnie Fisher said in his column in the Border Telegraph this month. “Operation Jabiru launched in October 2022 to proactively gather intelligence and execute warrants targeting criminals operating within the region.
“As we highlighted in February, there have been almost 50 property searches and significant recoveries of Class A, B and C drugs, as well as other items associated with drug dealing and organised crime.
“In addition, officers seized over £18,000 in cash and luxury goods worth in excess of £50,000, which are believed to be proceeds of criminal activity.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to assure all members of the public living within the Scottish Borders that our proactive intelligence-gathering and enforcement activity as part of Operation Jabiru was not a flash in the pan and my officers will continue to target those who are profiting from the misery of others within our communities, shut down their operations and bring them before the courts.
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“We know, however, that the success of such activity is based on the information we receive from the public and I would urge anyone with knowledge of ongoing criminal activity in their area to contact us via 101, or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “These figures show that Police Scotland is continuing to make progress in removing drugs from our streets.
“We are committed to disrupting organised criminality in all its forms, including the supply of drugs in our communities and holding those involved in supplying them to account.
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“As a single service, we are able to deploy specialist and national resources to support local activity and these results highlight the positive impact this is having across Scotland.
“We work closely with national law enforcement agencies and partners to share and act upon intelligence to disrupt organised crime in Scotland. We also continue to work with partners to address the harm this criminality causes to vulnerable people and our communities.”
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