Dealers jailed in crackdown

The seven men and one woman were rounded up as part of Operation Erase, the biggest of its kind ever staged in East Lothian, which targeted networks of dealers across the county.

More than 30,000 of heroin, cocaine and cannabis was seized, with early morning swoops carried out on 23 properties over two days in May.

Police chiefs said today that the operation had dealt a "serious blow" to organised drug dealing in the county, but pledged to continue their clampdown on the illicit trade. The eight offenders, seven of whom were from Musselburgh with another from Tranent, were handed jail sentences ranging from four months to 27 months on charges of drug supply and possession.

A total of 38 people were arrested under Operation Erase, with dozens more cases still waiting to go before the courts.

Chief superintendent Mark Williams, divisional commander for East Lothian and Midlothian, said: "These individuals, acting at the behest of serious and organised criminal groups, were responsible for peddling misery in our local communities, at the expense of the majority of law-abiding people whose quality of life suffered as a result of their activities.

"The sentences reflect the seriousness of their crimes and are a testament to the hard work of police and prosecutors who have brought each case to a successful conclusion.

"There is no doubt that Operation Erase has struck a serious blow against the activities of serious organised criminal groups in East Lothian and now that the Erase has expanded across E Division, we are making progress in tackling all forms of criminality in East and Midlothian."

Police raided 11 homes in Musselburgh on May 19, along with one each in Prestonpans and Wallyford.

The following day, another 12 addresses were hit in Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Tranent, Dunbar and Haddington.

The suspects had all been the subject of long-running investigations, with evidence being gathered against them by the force prior to the raids.

Chief supt Williams today urged members of the public to provide information on suspected drug dealers as the police seek to maintain efforts to build up intelligence on gangs operating in the area.

He said: "Of course, we continue to rely on the public to help us make the area a better and safer place to live, and anyone who has any information about criminal activity happening in their area, whether it be drug dealing, antisocial behaviour or otherwise, should contact police."Rest assured that any information received will be acted upon and treated in the strictest confidence."

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who also represents Musselburgh as an MSP, said: "I am delighted that Operation Erase has led to the disruption of drug dealing networks in East Lothian and the conviction of several dealers. Decent people in East Lothian, and indeed right across Scotland, should be thankful for the efforts of Lothian and Borders Police in taking these criminals down."

Behind bars

EIGHT drug dealers are now in jail after being arrested during Operation Erase. They are:

Scott Allan Benion, 40, from Musselburgh: appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on August 25, received a 16-month sentence.

Billy Joe Bradie, 30, from Musselburgh: appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on August 25, received a 14-month sentence.

Andrew James Moffat, 31, from Musselburgh: appeared at Haddingon Sheriff Court on August 25, received a 16-month sentence for drug supply and possession charges and a 25-month custodial sentence for breaching a drug treatment and testing order.

Dean William Purdie, 33, from Musselburgh: appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on August 25, received a 16-month sentence.

Mark Stuart Green, 38, from Musselburgh: appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on August 24, received an 18-month sentence

William Meechan Clelland, 42, from Musselburgh: appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on August 24, received 27-month sentence.

Kirsty Catherine Elizabeth Mackie, 30, from Musselburgh: appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on August 6, received 12-month sentence.

Mark Robertson, 31, from Tranent: appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on August 30, received a four-month sentence