Pensioner arrested after cops seize £3.2m worth of drugs from industrial estate
Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £3.2 million have been seized by police from a Cowdenbeath industrial estate, as a pensioner is arrested.
On Thursday, May 8 at around 10.30am, officers carrying out routine enquiries attended a warehouse on the Gateside Industrial Estate in the town.
There they found a cannabis cultivation and just under 2,000 plants, with an estimated street value of £3.2 million, were seized.
A 70-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released pending further enquiries.
Detective Constable Paul Scougall said: ' Drugs cause misery in our communities and Police Scotland is determined to disrupt the supply of illegal substances and trace those involved.
'This significant recovery underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
'Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work and we urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'
On Thursday, in a separate incident, we reported that a major police crackdown has dismantled a Scots organised crime gang, with around 100 arrests and more than 200kg worth of drugs seized.
As well as the huge drug haul — which included cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, pills and herbal cannabis — police recovered more than £600,000 in cash, ammunition, and three firearms, including a handgun, air weapon and a BB gun.
Detectives also rescued 11 children who were at risk of being groomed for so-called county-line activities. The vulnerable youngsters were either referred to partner agencies or placed with family members.
Operation Intensity, launched in May 2023, targeted a organised criminal network operating in Dumfries, Ayrshire, and Central Scotland — with links spanning as far as Argyll to Tayside. Officers from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit led the investigation.
Police Scotland say the gang ran a sophisticated County Lines-style operation, with couriers travelling by car to supply drugs using so-called 'dealing lines', which were regularly resupplied from safe houses.
A total of 46 search warrants were executed across both rural and urban areas, resulting in arrests and seizures.
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