LAYINGTHE DOWN LAW Drugs worth £1m found in busts
WITH DIVISIONAL COMMANDER CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT DAVID DUNCAN
The past few weeks have seen a number of notable arrests in connection with sizeable drugs recoveries across Renfrewshire.
On Thursday, April 29 officers executed a drugs search warrant at a dwelling in John Lang Street, Johnstone.
On entering the premises they discovered a pill press and a large quantity of controlled drugs within.
Then on Tuesday, May 4 officers from the same unit discovered a large Cannabis cultivation consisting of over a 1,000 mature plants within a commercial premises in Rowan Street, Paisley.
Our success continued into the month when officers from our local Criminal Investigation Department discovered another cultivation in Hillside Road, Paisley.
On searching the premises officers found a number of rooms within the dwelling filled with mature plants.
Our run of successful operations culminated on Thursday, May 20 when local response officers discovered yet another Cannabis cultivation at a dwelling flat in
MacDowell Street, Johnstone.
After further examination of the properties, officers discovered that the electricity supply had been tampered with.
This is not only illegal, it poses a serious risk of fire to not only the cultivation premises but to other dwellings nearby.
The overall street value of the drugs recovered from these operations was around £1million.
Four men aged 16, 27, 28 and 47 have been arrested in connection with the discoveries.
The division remains committed to tackling the production and supply of illegal drugs across Renfrewshire.
We will continue to take robust action with anyone involved in the drugs trade and will act on all information received.
I would like to thank the public for their continued assistance which helps us to carry out enforcement activity.
Finally I would like to update local residents regarding the recovery of an illegal firearm and ammunition in the Paisley Area.
On Tuesday, May 18 officers from our national Specialist Crime Division intercepted a vehicle in Bank Street, Paisley.
On searching the vehicle officers discovered an illegal firearm and live ammunition within.
The two male occupants aged 35 and 50 were arrested at the scene. I am delighted with the outcome of this investigation which has resulted in a potentially lethal firearm being removed from the streets of Renfrewshire.
I hope this recent police activity and partnership approach provides reassurance to the local community and highlights the excellent work carried out behind the scenes by Police Scotland on a daily basis with local and national teams working hand in hand.