Police seize millions in drugs in Aberdeen in single year

Almost £2.5 million in drugs has been seized in Aberdeen in just one year.

Almost £2.5 million in drugs, including cocaine and cannabis, has been seized in Aberdeen in the space of a year.

About 192kg of cannabis, 4.8kg of diamorphine, more than 5,000 diazepam tablets and 11.95kg of cocaine were among the substances seized by officers intent on dismantling Serious Organised Crime Groups (SOCGs) in the city.

A total of 252 drugs search warrants were executed – an average of 21 per month.

There were 211 people reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for drug supply offences.

Among the most notable seizures was the recovery of £120,000 worth of ‘crack’ cocaine and diamorphine in the Bridge of Don area, while about £40,000 of cannabis and cocaine was found in the Tillydrone area.

A 52-year-old pharmacist also had £432,000 of assets seized from him as a result of a multi-agency enquiry into falsifying prescription drugs for his own financial gain.

The figures from September 1 last year to August 31 this year are being presented to Aberdeen City Council today.

Detective Superintendent Alex Dowall said: “Drug supply and distribution remains one of the most lucrative activities for SOCGs not just in Aberdeen, but throughout Scotland as a whole. But let these figures be testament to the constant, pro-active work that is undertaken locally to intercept drugs bound for our streets and to dismantle the crime groups behind them.

“Tackling SOC will always be a priority for North East Division and Police Scotland, in particular targeting the English-based drug dealers who target our area for their own financial gain. Criminals from out with the North East can present various logistical challenges for us however with support on our roads and rail from our colleagues in Specialist Crime Division, Roads Policing and British Transport Police, we are recording more and more successes than ever.

“Enforcement is just one key part of this strategy however, and I cannot stress enough the wider work that is done in conjunction with our communities and partners to ensure there is a holistic approach to substance abuse. The four ‘D’ approach - Detect, Deter, Disrupt and Divert - is crucial to tackling wider drug related issues, and a partnership approach co-ordinated by serious organised crime groups that sit within local authority areas is key to identifying the people who will engage with us to divert them away from this type of activity.”