A PLAY centre in one of Scotland’s smartest suburbs was raided by police yesterday (Wed) and cannabis worth £64,000 recovered.
Officers, including organised crime and counter terrorism specialists, descended on Tiki Tots in upmarket Morningside, Edinburgh, and found the Class B drugs in the loft area.
The news that a cannabis factory was operating there astonished locals in the area, which has one of the highest concentrations of millionaires anywhere in the UK.
The play centre operates from a former church and boasts the motto: “It’s a jungle in here.”
Police said parents who took their children to the play centre and tea room were completely unaware of the den of organised crime hidden in the attic space.
Acting on intelligence police, including officers from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, carried out the raid on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Paul Grainger said: “This building was regularly occupied by young children and their parents who were completely unaware of the cannabis which was being grown within.
“Acting upon intelligence, we executed a search of the premises and made a sizeable drugs recovery.
Police said they were “currently pursuing a positive line of enquiry”.
One elderly Morningside resident, Paul Maxwell, 82, said: “This a very staid, respectable and very posh part of Edinburgh.”
One couple who had taken their young child to the play centre were shocked at the news.
The father, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s quite a well-to-do area. It’s always packed in TikiTots. We’d never expect that.”
His wife added: “It’s crazy.”
He continued: ““It’s good fun, it’s family friendly and they throw parties in the upstairs room. The staff were always very nice and friendly.”
The Facebook page for the jungle-themed play area reveals that it hosts activities such as ‘Potty Emma Day’ where children make pots.
And a picture of a tiger wearing a party hat reads: “We like to Party here”.
Other pictures show colourful room stuffed full of exotic foliage and the centre’s mascot – a tiger.
The raid has prompted a wave of jokes on Twitter, including crime writer Ian Rankin who joked: “Tokey Tots.”
Beth tweeted: “Jesus wept, Tiki Tots play centre, really shouldn’t laugh but…”
And Kenny Wyatt added: “One way to keep the kids quiet, they’ll be moaning about being hungry all the time though…”
