5 Arrests £1.5M Drugs Seized In Fife Raids

Officers have arrested five people and seized £1.5million worth of drugs in dawn raids.

A total of six searches took place in various properties in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Kirkcaldy using drugs warrants. 

The action was taken as part of attempts to disrupt large-scale drugs supplies linked to organised crime groups within the East of Scotland. 

Quantities of cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis were recovered as a result of the searches. 

The men, who are all aged 39 and 35, are due to appear at Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy Sheriff Courts tomorrow accused of drugs offences.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has pledged to make Scotland a 'hostile' place for serious organised crime gangs.

Detective Superintendent David Gordon from Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: “Today’s activity forms part of a larger investigation to tackle serious organised crime, which has so far led to 47 people being charged for various offences. 

“In addition, almost £1.5million worth of drugs has been seized along with around £85,000 in cash. “

The arrests made today along with the additional drugs and cash we have recovered send a further message to organised crime groups that we continue to utilise all resources at our disposal to pursue you and bring you to justice.

Mr Matheson said earlier that there is "no place" for serious organised crime in Scotland.

"I’m proud of the innovative approach we’re taking to tackle it head on, from the “Mr Bigs” to the white-collar criminals exploiting our economy. Our success over the past eight years since the Taskforce was set up is evident however it is clear to me that the time is now right to shift direction to become even more sophisticated in tackling emerging crime trends. By working together, agencies are sending a really strong message that there’s no place for criminals to hide and we will not allow them to peddle misery in our communities. He said.

“But this isn’t just about putting in doors and locking up criminals. There’s also a huge need to reduce the harm caused by serious organised crime, stop the cycle of deprivation, and crucially give those who have been involved in serious organised crime the chance to turn their lives around. That’s why having charities such as Action for Children firmly at the heart of the work of the Taskforce is so important.