Cross border operation welcomed

The Serious Organised Crime Taskforce has welcomed a successful cross border operation where Police Scotland arrested 59 people and seized more than £25 million pounds worth of controlled drugs.

More than £7 million in cash and firearms, ammunition, explosives and industrial pill presses were also seized, while six stolen cars and a motorcycle have been recovered.

More than 50 warrants were executed by hundreds of officers at addresses throughout the country, as part of a nationwide intelligence-led operation co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency and involving Border Force and police forces throughout the UK.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, chair of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, commended the work of Police Scotland and partners, saying:

“This has been one of Police Scotland’s most significant operations, combining the knowledge and resources of local policing with the service’s enhanced national capabilities. It also underlines the importance of continued cross-border co-operation in law enforcement, as well as the value of the partnerships forged through Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and our highly-prized Scottish Crime Campus.

“Once again the professionalism of Scotland’s police officers and support staff is evident in disrupting criminal activities and reducing the harm and misery inflicted on our communities.

“Partners on the Taskforce are resolute in their determination to use all means available to disrupt and dismantle serious organised crime. I would urge anyone with any information about, or suspicions of organised crime in their area to contact the police or to do so anonymously through Crimestoppers.”

Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said:

“This operation highlights the value of partnership working between the agencies which take part in the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce. Those agencies will continue to use all the means at their disposal to target organised crime groups.

“The operation also demonstrates the substantial benefits which we derive from international co-operation between law enforcement agencies in Scotland and those of other countries -  benefits which help to ensure the safety and security of people living in Scotland.

“The Crown will continue to work with its partners in the Taskforce and across the justice sector to disrupt serious and organised crime.”

Background

Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce was established in 2007 and has 18 members - including police, local government, third and private sector organisations, criminal justice agencies and other organisations.  

Much of this work is co-ordinated and supported by partnerships at the Scottish Crime Campus, which currently houses more than 20 organisations such as Police Scotland, SPA Forensic Services, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, as well as representatives of several agencies including the National Crime Agency and HM Revenue and Customs.

Full details of the arrests and seizures made