OVER £50m worth of drugs were seized by police officers across Scotland in 2024 as the country continues to battle its drug-related death problem.
A number of significant drugs recoveries by Police Scotland took place throughout the year – including one bust that accounted for at least 10% of the total sum seized.
In October, officers recovered 90kg of cocaine, 23kg of heroin, 19kg of MDMA and around 5,800 diazepam and ecsasy tablets from a property in Curzon Street in Glasgow.
A further 20kg of cocaine was also found in a nearby vehicle, bringing the total value of the drugs found to a whopping £5.5m.
A 24-year-old man was also jailed in October after a police chase in Dundee in February resulted in cocaine worth over £2.4m being recovered from his car.
Eight people were also arrested in Glasgow earlier this month as part of the force’s Operation Silhouette, an ongoing investigation to target and dismantle serious organised crime groups.
Police Scotland’s figures come as data from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed earlier this year that in 2023, 1,172 people in Scotland died due to drug misuse.
This marks a sharp 12% increase on the previous year’s figures, with overall deaths in 2023 almost five times higher than the 244 deaths reported in 1996, when comparable records began.
The country’s drug deaths are the worst in Europe, with 277 deaths per million people aged 15-64 in 2023.
In comparison, the next highest country, Estonia, saw 95 deaths per million people according to the most recent data available by the European Union Drugs Agency covering 2022.
Opiates or opioids – such as heroin, morphine and methadone – were the most common drugs connected to deaths, representing 80% of the overall total.
There has also been a sharp rise in cocaine overdoses with the drug a factor in 479 deaths in 2023.
Speaking on the more than £50m worth of narcotics seized, detective chief superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities.
“We remain committed to disrupting the activities of those involved in serious crime impacting Scotland at all levels, whether they are operating from within Scotland, the wider UK or beyond our borders.
“Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selflishly exploit vulnerable people solely for their own financial gain.
“This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce (SOCT) and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Action like this is only possibile with the continued support of our communities.
“Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonyously to Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111.
“I can assure you that your information will be listened to and will be used to help us take action on those involved in criminality.”
Justice secretary Angela Constance also said: “Illegal drugs ruin lives and blight communities and I welcome Police Scotland’s commitment to disrupting organised crime groups who seek to profit from this misery.
“Tackling serious organised crime is a priority for the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and other partners on the SOCT and we will continue to work together to reduce the impact of such crime on individuals and communities.”
