15 HELD IN DRUGS BLITZ AT PRISON
Police crack down on ‘zombie’ substance
Fifteen people have been arrested as part of a West Lothian police operation against organised crime and drug dealing at Addiewell prison.
Between Tuesday, December 19 and Wednesday 20, police launched an operation to crack down on the supply of drugs, particularly psychoactive substances like Spice, at the prison.
Operation Hambo followed intelligence that drugs were being distributed in HMP Addiewell, with those responsible being assisted by accomplices from outside.
The operation resulted in 10 men, aged between 19 and 35, within the prison estate, and a further two men aged 34 from North Lanarkshire and Edinburgh being arrested. Three women aged 57, 34 and 27 from the Renfrewshire area were also held. Eight men
within the prison were charged in connection with the possession of drugs, while a further two were charged in connection with the sale and supply.
Three were also charged with mobile phone offences.
Outwith the prison, the three women were charged in connection with the sale and supply of drugs, while the two men were charged in connection with the possession of drugs.
Drugs recovered included new psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabis, heroin, cocaine and herbal cannabis.
Superintendent Craig Smith, of Police Scotland’s Lothians and Scottish Borders Division, said: “This successful operation is the result of extensive intelligence and evidencegathering work conducted by our officers, staff within HMP Addiewell and colleagues at the Scottish Prison Service.
“I’d like to thank our partners for their dedication and support in tackling this issue.
“The proliferation of drugs within the prison estate is a serious issue which can severely hinder those individuals’ chances of rehabilitation and addressing their offending behaviour.”
Ian Whitehead, director of HMP Addiewell, said: “Police Scotland’s early recognition of the problems posed by psychoactive substances in prison and associated criminal activity has allowed us to develop a unique partnership approach, taking robust action against those who attempt to introduce drugs to prisons.
“We will continue to adopt a multi- disciplinary approach working with Police Scotland through Operation Hambo and beyond, as well as NHS and other partner agencies to tackle this issue.”
Tom Fox, head of corporate affairs for the Scottish Prison Service, said: “We will continue to work with police and other agencies to address the problems caused by those trying to introduce contraband into prisons in Scotland.
“We devote a great deal of time and energy to tackling the problem of illicit drugs and other contraband entering the prison environment.
“We are committed to doing all we can to detect and prosecute those who continue to pedal this misery.”
Those arrested will be reported to the procurator fiscal.