This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Increase in drug seizures and arrests
24/06/2002
New figures show a massive increase in the number of
drug seizures and a significant increase in the number of
arrests.
The figures in the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency's
latest report show a 68 per cent increase in the number of
drug seizures, a 35 per cent increase in arrests and 73
criminals and/or criminal enterprises being disrupted or
dismantled.
Speaking as he opened the brand new SDEA headquarters in
Paisley, First Minister Jack McConnell welcomed the report.
He said:
"These new headquarters will provide excellent
facilities for 134 police officers who are in the forefront
of the fight against drugs. We will increase that number to
200.
"Drug dealers do not respect police force boundaries and
that's why it is vital that we have a Scotland-wide
approach to ensure there is nowhere for dealers to
hide.
"Drugs and other serious organised crime are quite
simply a threat to Scotland and to Scottish society. We
take that threat very seriously. That is why we set up the
SDEA and we continue strongly to back it, and our police
forces, in spear-heading the drive to protect our
communities."
The headquarters will also house the new Scottish Money
Laundering Unit which will use state-of-the-art technology
to help seize dealers' assets and invest them in tackling
drug problems back in our communities. The unit's work will
be underpinned by the tough new powers in the Proceeds of
Crime Bill, coming into force next year.
Mr McConnell added:
"Combining the latest crime-fighting technology with
dedicated expertise and nationwide criminal intelligence,
the SDEA has significantly strengthened our crackdown on
unscrupulous dealers who heap misery on communities around
Scotland.
"But making a real difference on drugs, means better
enforcement to attack the supply
and action to reduce the demand. We are providing
record funding to tackle drugs and deliver our drugs
strategy. I am determined that every penny leads to
progress on the ground, particularly for young people and
their families.
"The global scale and complexity of drug trafficking
also requires expert organisations to share knowledge and
work together to deliver results. This is a key feature of
this complex where the police, the National Criminal
Intelligence Service and HM Customs are based side by
side.
"The close partnership between enforcement agencies is
especially vital as we step up efforts to seize the funding
with which drugs barons spread their misery. "
The Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency was formally
launched on 1 June 2000. Currently 134 police officers are
based in the new SDEA HQ, along with 32 civilian staff, and
100 officers work in the 8 police forces.
The Scottish Executive announced an additional £6
million last year and, with the new accommodation now
available, this should allow the SDEA to recruit towards
its target of 200 officers based in the HQ.
The Scottish Executive's Drugs Strategy
tackling drugs in Scotland: action in partnership
covers four key pillars young people, communities,
treatment and availability.