Drugs found in port swoop

DRUGS worth more than £180,000 have been recovered at airports and ferry terminals, including Cairnryan, as part of a major operation this week.

Operation Lockstream began on Tuesday with 30 vehicles searched at ports in Stranraer, which resulted in 27 kilogrammes of cannabis being discovered at Loch Ryan.

Elsewhere at Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, 78 flights were met.

Over the course of the activity, £7000 worth of cash was seized and four people were arrested in connection with drugs, road traffic and immigration offences.

The whole operation included officers from Police Scotland, as well as the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), Border Force, Home Office Immigration, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the Scottish SPCA

Assistant chief constable Stuart Houston, Police Scotland’s lead for organised crime and counter terrorism, yesterday said: “Organised immigration crime is happening now in Scotland and tackling it is a priority.

“We know that criminals use our transport hubs for a range of illegal activities, and working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting those who exploit vulnerable people solely for financial gain.

“Action like this is only possible through the continued support of our communities. Anyone with information or concerns should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“I can assure you that you will be listened to and the information you provide could prove vital in helping us identify those involved in this type of criminality.”