Dawn raids in Aberdeen target suspected brothel

A SUSPECTED brothel in Aberdeen was one of a series of properties targeted by Police Scotland in the city today in a series of dawn raids.

Three women and a man were arrested at a "brothel" in Aberdeen. Picture: Johnston Press

• The raids, part of Operation Maple, targeted drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour

• Over 40 officers were involved in this mornings raids in Aberdeen

Teams of uniformed and plain-clothed officers staged the series of raids at addresses across the city as part of Operation Maple, the force’s blitz on drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour in the city.

A force spokeswoman said: “More than 40 officers targeted addresses across the city this morning. Drugs search warrants have so far been executed in the city centre area, with officers also raiding a property which it is suspected was being used as a brothel.”

Three women and a man were arrested at the “brothel.”

Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, Aberdeen City Division Commander, said: “Operation Maple continues to be a success and recently we passed the £1 million mark for the total amount of drugs being removed from the streets of Aberdeen as part of the initiative.

“I’d like to reassure our communities that sustained, targeted action like we have seen again today will continue to be a frequent feature of policing in the city. It is important however to emphasise that this operation is about more than simply seizing drugs.”

He added: “This morning, for example, we have seen a raid take place at a property suspected of being used as a brothel. We’ve had significant success in tackling traditional, ‘on street’ prostitution in recent years but we are not naive enough to think that there aren’t still challenges out there.

“We know that there is still work to do to tackle the so-called ‘off street’ sex industry and the associated crime that typically goes hand in hand with that - drug abuse being a prime example.

“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and that means tackling this issue head on. Today’s activity sends a clear signal to those involved in the exploitation of others through this trade that they are not welcome and simply will not be tolerated in Aberdeen.”

Chief Inspector George MacDonald, who has operational responsibility for the initiative, said: “Today and throughout Operation Maple, information supplied to us by the public about those suspected of dealing drugs has played a crucial role in its success. Indeed, it is only a matter of days since intelligence led directly to the seizure of nearly £50,000 of heroin in Aberdeen.

“The warrants we’ve executed so far today are another excellent illustration of what can be achieved when the public and police work in tandem. “

He vowed: “There will be no let up from Police Scotland in Aberdeen and I would continue to urge people in our communities to pick up the phone and tell us who the people are that are involved in criminal behaviour in order to allow us to continue to build on what’s already been achieved.”