Police draw up hit list of up to 100 drug-dealing targets

A HIT list of up to 100 drug dealers has been drawn up by detectives tasked with targeting the criminals behind the illegal trade in Edinburgh.

Dealers in heroin, crack and cocaine are among those identified by the force's drugs squad through detailed intelligence work over several months.

Drug peddlers selling from their own flats as well those dealing in the city's pubs and clubs are among those who are on the list of targets.

Detectives say they will only swoop on the dealers when enough evidence has been collected to secure convictions and substantial prison sentences.

But the Evening News understands that up to 100 "significant" street-level dealers have come into the sights of the drugs squad officers.

The unit has enjoyed particular success recently in combating the growing number of cannabis farms being set up in private flats and houses in the Capital.

Officers identified a numbers of farms being run by Chinese gangsters who produce herbal cannabis which is then sold by groups of men originally from Gambia.

One seizure in Bothwell Street in Leith last Friday saw police recover 8500 in cash and 680g of cannabis with a street value of around 4000. Each of the drugs squad's three teams, based respectively in the north, south/east and west/Pentlands areas, has identified dealers to pursue.

DI Gary Inglis, who is head of the city unit, said: "My team of officers have a very detailed knowledge of local dealers and their clientele. That means we can react to intelligence coming in and build a case to present to the procurator fiscal. These dealers know we're targeting them and they're aware we're likely to come through their door. These can be shorter operations, but sometimes take several months to ensure a result."

The drugs squad is provided with 'blind' intelligence naming potential drug dealing targets to investigate. The information comes from a variety of sources, whose names are withheld to protect their safety.

Its trio of teams work with a variety of agencies, from the Inland Revenue to the Department of Work and Pensions, to gather backgrounds on the suspects.

DI Inglis added: "The dealers we target are often funding their habits through selling drugs. We also make large seizures from individuals who are being compelled by debts or threats of violence to work as couriers for those higher up the chain."

The city's drug squads works closely and shares intelligence with the force's Drugs and Major Crime Unit, which tackles dealers operating across Lothian and Borders, and the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency (SDEA), who pursue those criminals at a national level.

City drug squad officers were involved in the recent series of raids across Midlothian against a network of alleged drug dealers.

Operation Evolve netted 32 men and women suspected of dealing heroin, crack and cocaine. The suspects each face between two and seven years in prison. Last Friday, the Evening News told how a growing feud among rival drugs gangs has led to five shooting incidents in as many weeks.

Some last words of advice . .

SIXTH-YEAR pupils from across the Lothians are being given a final talk on the dangers of cocaine use before many leave to start college or university.

Police drugs-awareness officers from the police are carrying out the presentations before pupils start further education, when many will leave home for the first time.

The force has placed raising awareness among youngsters at the same level as enforcement against dealers in a bid to reduce demand. Specialist officers make 800 trips a year to primary and secondary schools in Edinburgh to give talks.

Pc Steve Bissett, a drugs awareness officer based at Drylaw police station, said: "Youngsters are more aware than ever about drugs because of TV, the internet and celebrity culture. But we work to dispel some myths. When they find out things like a conviction for possession bars you from entering America in the future, it has an impact."