Eleven people arrested after police seize drugs worth £670k in the Borders

The haul included 4.5kg of cocaine and 5.5kg of heroin

Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 21st Apr 2023
Last updated 21st Apr 2023

Eleven people have been arrested after police recovered more than £670,000 worth of drugs, including cocaine and heroin, during a 15-day operation in the Borders.

Seven men and three women have all been charged with offences relating to the supply of controlled drugs.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man - arrested yesterday (Thursday) - has also been charged with directing serious organised crime and money laundering offences.

He was held in custody to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court today.

The arrests follow an operation targeting the supply of drugs, involving officers from Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism teams, together with local Operation Jabiru officers.

It's understood raids were carried out at various addresses in the region between Wednesday, April 5th, and Thursday, April 20th.

Police say "significant quantities of money and controlled drugs", including 4.5kg of cocaine and 5.5kg of heroin have been seized.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston, head of the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit at Police Scotland, said: “This has been a significant operation, aimed at disrupting the illegal supply of drugs in the Scottish Borders and associated organised crime.

“We will continue to investigate those who profit from, and care nothing for, the misery that drugs bring to individuals, their families and communities.

“Activity such as this is a good example of how specialist national units work closely with local policing colleagues to ensure action is taken to address criminal activity and support our local communities.”

Chief Superintendent Catriona Paton (pictured above), Divisional Commander for The Lothians and Scottish Borders, said: “This targeted operation demonstrates our commitment to ridding our streets of drugs. This is built on effective intelligence gathering and the help and support of the local community, who rightly do not tolerate the supply of drugs in their neighbourhoods.

“I am grateful for the ongoing support policing has from our communities in the Borders and for the sustained support we have from our national colleagues, enabling the positive outcome we have seen in this case.

“I would continue to appeal to anyone with information or concerns about the supply of illegal drugs to contact police immediately on the non-emergency number 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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