Five arrested and drugs recovered in series of dawn raids by police in Fife

Justice minister vows to conduct ‘smarter’ approach to tackle Scotland’s organised crime groups

Dawn raids led to the arrest of five people in Fife yesterday, as police stepped up a national operation to take down organised criminals.

A series of property searches were carried out in the Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Kirkcaldy areas, where officers executed drugs warrants.

A total of six addresses were targeted during the activity, which aimed to disrupt large-scale drugs supply linked to organised crime groups in the east of Scotland. Cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis were recovered.

The men, all aged in their 30s, are due to appear at Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy sheriff courts today.

Detective Superintendent David Gordon from Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said yesterday: “Today’s activity forms part of a larger investigation to tackle serious organised crime, which has so far led to 47 people being charged for various offences.

“In addition, almost £1.5 million worth of drugs has been seized along with around £85,000 in cash.

“The arrests made today – along with the additional drugs and cash we have recovered – send a further message to organised crime groups that we continue to utilise all resources at our disposal to pursue them and bring them to justice.”

The raids were co-ordinated from the Joint Operations Centre at Gartcosh where justice secretary Michael Matheson monitored proceedings.

With emerging trends including cybercrime, human trafficking and environmental crime, he said the time is right to implement a “smarter, more sophisticated approach” to tackling serious organised crime in Scotland.

He said: “There’s no place for serious organised crime in Scotland and I’m proud of the innovative approach we’re taking to tackle it head on, from the “Mr Bigs” to the white-collar criminals exploiting our economy.

“By working together, agencies are sending a really strong message that there’s no place for criminals to hide and we will not allow them to peddle misery in our communities.

“But this isn’t just about putting in doors and locking up criminals. There’s also a huge need to reduce the harm caused by serious organised crime, stop the cycle of deprivation and, crucially, give those who have been involved in serious organised crime the chance to turn their lives around.”

The latest figures show 232 serious organised crime groups (SOCGs) are recorded as operating in Scotland, made up of about 3,700 individuals.

By working together, agencies are sending a really strong message that there’s no place for criminals to hide and we will not allow them to peddle misery ... MICHAEL MATHESON

Pictures: PA. Detective Inspector Colin Robson, also pictured below, briefs officers ahead of the raids.