A dozen homes targeted as police swoop in drugs blitz

POLICE today staged a series of raids aimed at targeting organised drug gangs which deal heroin, cocaine and cannabis in the Lothians.

More than 100 officers took part in swoops on 11 addresses in Musselburgh, while two properties in nearby

Prestonpans and Wallyford were also hit.

The blitz, which was codenamed Operation Erase, is the biggest operation of its kind in East Lothian, with raids aimed at serious organised crime groups in East Lothian as well as individuals linked to them.

Police chiefs said the raids were designed to deliver a "blow to the supply of drugs in the Musselburgh area".

Two police vans pulled into the car park of the Fisherrow Centre at 6.45am with 10 officers jumping out and moving quickly round to a main door in South Street.

The team of officers wearing body armour and helmets smashed in the door with a battering ram before pouring into the home. Shouts could be heard from inside the property as a man and woman were woken from their sleep by the crashes and calls of "police".

A man and a woman, both in their 40s, were led out in handcuffs by officers at 7.25am and put in a police van covered with posters for Operation Erase.

The alleged dealers were based on the quiet street only a few yards from the local centre where the Fisherrow Community Nursery for two to four-year-olds is based.

A convoy of around 40 police cars and vans had moved out from Fettes headquarters at 6.15am after a briefing from senior officers.

Among the other addresses targeted were Newbigging, Delta View and Moir Avenue in Musselburgh, as well as Inchview Crescent in Wallyford.

Officers, who targeted a total of 15 people, have also been working with NHS Lothian to help ensure drug treatment is on hand for users no longer able to source supplies locally following the wave of arrests.

Detectives hope to disrupt the supply of drugs in the blitz, and have appealed to members of the public to tip them off with the names of dealers.

The raids follow operations in Midlothian and West Lothian in the last 18 months, where more than 70 people detained.

Speaking shortly before the raids Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, divisional commander for the area, said: "We know that serious organised criminals operate in East Lothian. Today marks the start of a targeted effort over the coming weeks and months to disrupt, arrest and bring them to justice. This is day one."

He added: "Today's activity should serve as a statement of intent to people in East Lothian that we are committed to improving their quality of life, and to tackling the serious and organised crime groups who spread misery in local communities.

"If we are to be successful, it is vital that we have support from members of the public, and I am making a direct appeal to the people of East Lothian to work with us to make communities safer, by providing any information on any drug-dealing taking place in their area.

"Rest assured that any information we receive will be acted upon, and treated in the strictest confidence."

Anyone with any information on drug dealers operating in their area is asked to call the Operation Erase hotline on 0131-561 6148, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800-555 111.