Drug Seizures by Police Scotland, 2013-14

Key Points

• There can be considerable fluctuation in the quantities of drugs seized over time and the quantities seized do not necessarily move in line with the number of seizures made. Whilst most drug seizures consist of relatively small quantities (usually possession related crimes and offences), annual quantities of drugs seized can be greatly influenced by a small number of large seizures (usually trafficking offences and crimes).
• In 2013-14 there were approximately 5,500 seizures involving a Class A Drug. Within this, Police Scotland reported seizing 142.8 kilograms of heroin (compared to 80.4 kg in 2012-13), 124.3 kg of cocaine (281.3 kg in 2012-13) and 2.3 kg of crack cocaine (5.5 kg in 2012-13). In addition to this, just under 16,000 ecstasy type tablets and 9.3 litres of methadone were seized.
• In 2013-14 there were approximately 21,200 seizures involving a Class B Drug. Within this, Police Scotland reported seizing 504.9 kg of amphetamines (compared to 92.9 kg in 2012-13) and 66.8 kg of mephedrone (9.1 kg in 2012-13).
• Continuing with Class B drugs, the quantity of cannabis related drug seizures fell between 2012-13 and 2013-14, from 615.0 kg to 452.7 kg for herbal cannabis and from 1,707.0 kg to 367.8 kg for cannabis resin. The number of cannabis plants seized fell from just over 41,000 to just over 23,000.
• In 2013-14 there were approximately 3,300 seizures involving a Class C Drug. This included the seizure of over 1.2 million diazepam tablets (532,100 in 2012-13).