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22/09/2008
£20m Illicit Drugs Seized In Scotland
Illegal drugs worth more than £20 million have been seized in Scotland over the last year, a new report from the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) has revealed.
The annual report also reported that 49 people described as some of the most "serious and dangerous" criminals in Scotland were also arrested.
Drug seizures were found to be lower than the agency's targets, even though almost three times the amount of drugs were taken from the streets compared with last year, which was £7.5m.
Of the £20m drugs recovered, £15.8m were Class A substances like heroin and cocaine, and the remainder was cannabis.
The report also found that criminal assets worth almost £5m were seized, an increase of 8% on last year.
Gordon Meldrum, Director General of the SCDEA said: "Popular culture tends to give serious criminals names and titles - Mr Bigs, godfathers, Kingpins.
"My goal is to strip them of their names in favour of numbers - those on cell doors and in pounds seized."
Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill also said: "This Government wants to send out a message to these criminals around Scotland and further afield that there are no untouchables in our society.
"We will pursue them with vigour and we will be uncompromising in pursuing those who peddle drugs and other criminal activities."
(JM)
The annual report also reported that 49 people described as some of the most "serious and dangerous" criminals in Scotland were also arrested.
Drug seizures were found to be lower than the agency's targets, even though almost three times the amount of drugs were taken from the streets compared with last year, which was £7.5m.
Of the £20m drugs recovered, £15.8m were Class A substances like heroin and cocaine, and the remainder was cannabis.
The report also found that criminal assets worth almost £5m were seized, an increase of 8% on last year.
Gordon Meldrum, Director General of the SCDEA said: "Popular culture tends to give serious criminals names and titles - Mr Bigs, godfathers, Kingpins.
"My goal is to strip them of their names in favour of numbers - those on cell doors and in pounds seized."
Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill also said: "This Government wants to send out a message to these criminals around Scotland and further afield that there are no untouchables in our society.
"We will pursue them with vigour and we will be uncompromising in pursuing those who peddle drugs and other criminal activities."
(JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
