£1M seized in Highland drug raids

Northern Constabulary has hailed as a success a number of operations which has taken drugs worth £918,000 off the street.

It includes £60,000 of heroin seized this month in Inverness.

The past 18 months have also seen police collect £134,000 worth of cash in connection with criminal cases and under Proceeds of Crime Act legislation.

In the period between April 2011 and March this year there were a total of 2290 individual controlled drugs seizures made across the Highlands and Islands, 66% of these involved Class B drugs.

Cannabis was the most commonly seized drug, accounting for 55% of seizures. Other drugs seized in the Highlands and Islands consisted of diazepam, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin and ecstasy.

During 2011/12 both the number of supply and possession charges increased compared to the previous year.

The figures for possession in 2010/11 were 1534 compared to 1760 in 2011/12. The figure for the supply of drugs in 2010/11 was 298, compared to 465 in 2011/12.

Detective Superintendent Kenny Anderson, said: “We have enjoyed a successful 18 months in terms of the seizure of illegal drugs, cash and arrest of significant criminals.

“However, we are never complacent and we will continue to work as hard as ever to drive drugs and drug dealers out of our communities. Drugs and serious and organised crime is one of the main priorities for Northern Constabulary.

“The public have supported this work during the past 18 months and we would urge people to continue to provide us with information which may lead to the arrest and conviction of others involved in this destructive trade.”