Daily Record

Over 100 cops boot down doors across city in early morning drugs crackdown

-

POLICE targeted drug dealers yesterday in one of the biggest crackdowns seen in Scotland in recent years.

More than 100 officers working in seven teams booted down doors across Dundee in a series of raids.

They were responding to news that drug-related deaths in the city are at a “critical level” and are among the highest in Europe.

Chief Superinten­dent Andrew Todd said it was “not a badge of honour” when he briefed officers prior to the operation.

The Record was invited along to witness the early morning drama unfold.

We watched as a squad of 10 officers sprinted from a riot van and surrounded one of the target houses in Douglas. The door to the terraced property had been barricaded shut with planks BY JAMES MONCUR and officers used a handheld battering ram to smash their way in.

The two occupants were held as search teams hunted for evidence – the specialist­s left later carrying a number of brown evidence bags.

As we looked on, six other properties in the city were also being targeted.

Ten people were arrested during the operation that saw 12 warrants executed.

The raids formed part of Operation Fundamenta­l and involved officers working with the city council, social services and the Alcohol and Drugs Partnershi­p.

As well as targeting dealers, vulnerable individual­s who came to light during the operation, including children and those who were coerced into criminal activity, were offered support. Todd said: “We will continue to use intelligen­ce to target those who are blighting our communitie­s by dealing drugs.”

In the past 12 weeks, 73 people have been arrested for drug-related offences, 59 drugs search warrants executed and more than £32,000 recovered in Tayside.

Some 32lb of heroin and almost 24,000 diazepam and benzodiaze­pines tablets have been seized.

In addition, 104 vulnerable adults and 51 vulnerable children have been referred to support services.

Dundee Partnershi­p chair, councillor John Alexander said: “With the move to target those who peddle drugs in our communitie­s, there will be a ripple effect for all the Dundee partners who are committed to making our city a safer and healthier place for all.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom