Police seize drugs worth £16K at aborted rave in Central Scotland

Officers moved in to halt a mass gathering of people in a derelict farm in Slamannan, Falkirk, last night and recovered £16,000 worth of drugs due to be sold at the site.

According to Police Scotland, a 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with organising the illegal gathering.

Falkirk area commander Chief Inspector Chris Stewart said: “We received information a large number of people were being dropped off at the location and starting to gather.

Officers were in attendance quickly and established that a number of people were there for an organised ‘rave’.

Police officers moved in quickly to break up the rave in Slamannan

“Through our enquiries it is understood up to 200 people were due to attend, however, due to the intervention by officers it was quickly disrupted and did not take place.

“Those in attendance were dispersed and left the area without any issues. Officers charged the man with culpable and reckless conduct due to his part in organising the event and he will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Officers also recovered approximately £16,000 worth of drugs from the site, our assessment is that these drugs would have been sold at the event. Our enquiries continue in an effort to identify others who may have been involved in organising the event.”

Chief inspector Stewart added the event showed a “blatant disregard” for the law and public health – especially during the current COPVID-19 crisis.

“We will continue to use enforcement action where it is necessary to disperse large groups of people and to protect the public.”