Low-level dealers face fresh police crackdown

POLICE are set to launch a major assault on dozens of "low-level" drug dealers across the city.

The force has mounted Operation Adrenalin to target the homes of dealers peddling heroin, cocaine and other drugs, with at least 50 addresses expected to be hit.

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

The crackdown is also aimed at preventing street dealers from moving to a higher level and shifting larger quantities.

The operation got under way last month, with five addresses in Leith and one each in Drylaw, Restalrig and the city centre already raided.

Ten people have been charged with a total of 26 drug offences as a result, with 20,150 of cocaine and crack recovered along with heroin, Ecstasy, cannabis and prescribed medication.

The raids also recovered 4,415 in cash and seized hydroponic equipment, which was to be used to establish a cannabis farm.

Operation Adrenalin was preceded by a police push to build up a better intelligence picture of drug dealing in the city.

Community beat officers consulted with local residents to identify potential targets while community council meetings were used to pass information.

The clampdown will follow similar lines to Operation Focus, staged across West Lothian last year, which saw more than 40 drug dealers jailed.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Blair, who is leading the operation, said: "This is a focused approach to challenging lower-level drug dealing. We are working hard with the public to identify who the dealers are and where they live then tackling them.

"We'll be hitting addresses then going back to speak to residents on the ground to see if it has made a difference. Then we may hit these addresses again and again.

"It's not necessarily about seizing huge quantities of drugs, but disrupting their activities and improving quality of life in neighbourhoods. The more intelligence we get, the more raids we can do so anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."