Hundreds of motorists are over the limit
More than 230 motorists in Scotland were found to be over the drink-drive limit during our recent summer drink/drug driving campaign.
Between June 24 and July 7, officers across the country carried out 3076 breath tests, with 238 of those showing drivers were over the breath-alcohol limit, which is 22mcg/100ml of breath.
And 29 of those detected were caught ‘the morning after’, and 27 motorists face forfeiture orders for the removal of their vehicle as a result of their actions.
One alcoholic drink can put you over the limit in Scotland. It’s simply not worth the risk. If you’re going out, plan how you’ll get home – and bear in mind you may still be unfit to drive the morning after you’ve been drinking.
If you don’t, you could be responsible for taking someone’s life and face life-changing consequences.
I mentioned two weeks ago that local officers were carrying out addition patrols at the Burnbank Centre and it was one of these patrols that, on July 12, detected a disqualified driver allegedly under the influence of drugs, within a stolen motor vehicle.
A 29-year-old from Blantyre was arrested and kept in police custody until he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 16.
Also near the Burnbank Centre, there was significant community concern following an alleged wilful fire-raising on June 17, in George Court. A 30-year-old male was arrested at the time and released pending further examination.
That male has now been re-arrested and charged with an alleged wilful fire-raising and appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 16.
We have previously mentioned Operation Forward – tackling drug dealers across Lanarkshire.
This week the team executed 29 Misuse of Drug Act search warrants across Lanarkshire (seven of these were in the Hamilton and Clydesdale area).
In total 12 people were charged with alleged drug supply offences and 34 drug possession charges for contravention of S5(2) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Quantities of heroin, cocaine, cannabis, diazepam and amphetamine were recovered.
And £20,150 in cash was seized under proceeds of crime legislation.
It is clear that police can and do take action against drug dealers, so if you have concerns about drug dealing in your area contact police via ‘101’ or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Drug-dealers don’t care about the lives they ruin and the harm they cause to communities – they won’t be tolerated in Lanarkshire.