Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
More than £6m worth of drugs taken off streets
Task force hails Lanarkshire operation a success
IAN BUNTING
Police have removed more than £ 6 million worth of controlled drugs – including cocaine and cannabis – from the streets of Lanarkshire in the past six months.
Since the beginning of July, a dedicated drugs team has executed 505 search warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The team was set up to develop intelligence and embark on proactive operational activity under Operation Forward2.
The operation recovered the following amount of drugs: herbal cannabis (276 kilos); cannabis resin (22.2 kilos); cannabis plants (4330); cocaine (6.29 kilos); diamorphine (1.3 kilos); amphetamine (6.73 kilos); and etizolam/diazepam (327,440 tablets).
Lana rk s h i re’s d i v i s i o na l commander, Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell, said: “The officers involved in Operation Forward2 have done exactly what they set out to do – remove controlled drugs from the streets of Lanarkshire.
“To date, they have recovered £6,194,980 in drugs plus cash and assets to the value of almost £750,000 in POCA (Proceeds Of Crime Act) seizures.
“This is a significant result and one which will clearly impact the criminal fraternity who operate in this division.” Superintendent Waddell added: “Lanarkshire has no place for drugs and we will not tolerate those intent on bringing them into this area.
“Drugs are harming our communities, destroying families and robbing people of their right to lead a life free from the damage and danger that drugs can bring.
“Policing alone cannot tackle the damage that drugs cause.
“We work in close collaboration with partners to assist and support those affected by drugs to prevent them from re-offending.
“Drugs and alcohol partnerships play a significant role in getting the right support to those people and I’m continue to yield positive outcomes for our communities and for those willing to change.”
The team of 21 officers was established in Police Scotland’s Lanarkshire Division in response place across the area. Each officer involved in the operation was a divisional resource and several have since returned to their base post, allowing other uniformed officers the opportunity to join the