Latest news with #StevieElliot
Edinburgh Reporter
08-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Police make multiple arrests as part investigation to dismantle organised crime gang
Police Scotland has made around 100 arrests, seized more than 200 kilograms of illegal drugs, taken three firearms off the street and safeguarded 11 children as part of a significant investigation to dismantle a Scottish organised crime gang. Operation Intensity, which began in May 2023, involved officers from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and targeted a criminal network operating across the country. Intelligence indicated the group was well resourced and was exploiting vulnerable people in some of our most deprived communities to fund their crimes. Couriers travelling by car were used to operate dealing lines, who were then resupplied from safe houses. The arrests, in both rural and urban areas, took place within a number of local divisions, spanning from Argyll to Tayside. Forty-six search warrants were executed as part of action to disrupt the gang, which resulted in large quantities of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, pills and herbal cannabis being seized. More than £600,000 in cash and firearms, including a handgun, air weapon and a BB gun, were also recovered with ammunition from the addresses. Alongside this enforcement activity, 11 children were safeguarded after officers identified they were at risk from the gang as part of their criminal activities. They were referred to partner agencies or passed into the care of family members. Detective Superintendent Stevie Elliot said: 'This operation is a clear example of how we use our national resources, alongside the knowledge of our local policing teams, to bring down large gangs operating across the country. 'Our strategy was maximising the safety of the public and protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and young people who are all too often coerced and groomed by County Lines drug dealers. 'Organised criminal gangs show no shame or remorse for their actions and all their activities are focused on profiting from exploitation. 'These arrests and seizures highlight our dedication to tackling organised networks in Scotland. Illegal substances cause real harm and misery to individuals, families and communities. 'This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce where we work with partners on a multi-agency approach to tackling the threat of OCGs. 'We cannot do this alone and we need the public's help to rid these gangs from their communities. I would urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs or organised activities should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Eleven children safeguarded in organised crime gang crackdown
Police Scotland has instigated safeguarding measures for 11 children at risk from a Scottish organised crime gang. The youngsters were passed into the care of family members or referred to social services as part of a two-year police operation to dismantle the Scotland-wide drug dealing gang. Operation Intensity, which began in May 2023, has made about 100 arrests, seized more than 200kg (441lbs) of illegal drugs and taken three firearms off the street. The force said the organised crime gang it targeted was operating across the country, in areas including in Dumfries, Ayrshire and the central belt. News of the operation comes as Police Scotland deals with an ongoing gangland feud across central Scotland. Speaking about Operation Intensity, the force said it found couriers were travelling by car to operate drug dealing lines, who were then resupplied from safe houses. A total of 46 search warrants were executed as part of the two-year operation and they resulted in large quantities of drugs being seized, including cocaine, heroin and ecstasy. More than £600,000 in cash and firearms were also recovered with the near 100 arrests taking place in both rural and urban areas. Det Sup Stevie Elliot said: "This operation is a clear example of how we use our national resources, alongside the knowledge of our local policing teams, to bring down large gangs operating across the country. "Our strategy was maximising the safety of the public and protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and young people who are all too often coerced and groomed by county lines drug dealers. "Organised criminal gangs show no shame or remorse for their actions and all their activities are focused on profiting from exploitation." He added: "These arrests and seizures highlight our dedication to tackling organised networks in Scotland. Illegal substances cause real harm and misery to individuals, families and communities."
STV News
08-05-2025
- STV News
Around 100 arrested and 11 children rescued in gangbusting probe
Around 100 people have been arrested and 11 children rescued in a major police operation against a rising Scottish drug gang. Officers seized more than 200kg of illegal drugs and three guns while targeting a criminal network operating across the country, including in Dumfries, Ayrshire, and central Scotland. The Operation Intensity investigation, which began in May 2023, indicated that the gang exploited vulnerable people in deprived communities to fund their illicit activity. Officers also identified 11 children who were 'groomed' by the county lines dealers as part of the illegal activity. The at-risk children were safeguarded by law enforcement. Police carried out 46 raids during Operation Intensity, resulting in large quantities of drugs, including more than 45kg of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, 5,000 ecstasy pills and 111kg herbal cannabis being seized. Detectives also recovered more than £600,000 in cash and firearms, including a handgun, air weapon and a BB gun from addresses targeted with raids Detective superintendent Stevie Elliot said: 'This operation is a clear example of how we use our national resources, alongside the knowledge of our local policing teams, to bring down large gangs operating across the country. 'Our strategy was maximising the safety of the public and protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and young people who are all too often coerced and groomed by County Lines drug dealers. 'Organised criminal gangs show no shame or remorse for their actions and all their activities are focused on profiting from exploitation. 'These arrests and seizures highlight our dedication to tackling organised networks in Scotland. Illegal substances cause real harm and misery to individuals, families and communities. 'This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce where we work with partners on a multi-agency approach to tackling the threat of OCGs. 'We cannot do this alone and we need the public's help to rid these gangs from their communities. I would urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs or organised activities should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
08-05-2025
- BBC News
Eleven children safeguarded in organised crime gang crackdown
Police Scotland has instigated safeguarding measures for 11 children at risk from a Scottish organised crime youngsters were passed into the care of family members or referred to social services as part of a two-year police operation to dismantle the Scotland-wide drug dealing Intensity, which began in May 2023, has made about 100 arrests, seized more than 200kg (441lbs) of illegal drugs and taken three firearms off the force said the organised crime gang it targeted was operating across the country, in areas including in Dumfries, Ayrshire and the central belt. News of the operation comes as Police Scotland deals with an ongoing gangland feud across central Scotland. 'Protecting vulnerable people' Speaking about Operation Intensity, the force said it found couriers were travelling by car to operate drug dealing lines, who were then resupplied from safe houses.A total of 46 search warrants were executed as part of the two-year operation and they resulted in large quantities of drugs being seized, including cocaine, heroin and than £600,000 in cash and firearms were also recovered with the near 100 arrests taking place in both rural and urban areas. Det Sup Stevie Elliot said: "This operation is a clear example of how we use our national resources, alongside the knowledge of our local policing teams, to bring down large gangs operating across the country."Our strategy was maximising the safety of the public and protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and young people who are all too often coerced and groomed by county lines drug dealers."Organised criminal gangs show no shame or remorse for their actions and all their activities are focused on profiting from exploitation."He added: "These arrests and seizures highlight our dedication to tackling organised networks in Scotland. Illegal substances cause real harm and misery to individuals, families and communities."
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Daily Record
'Criminal network' in Ayrshire targeted as part of Operation Intensity
A criminal gang that has been operating in Ayrshire has been swooped on by cops. A criminal gang operating in Ayrshire has been targeted by police as part of Operation Intensity. More than 100 arrests were made across Scotland as more than £600,000 in cash, firearms and more than 200kg of illegal drugs were seized following the latest execution of 46 search warrants. As part of Operation Intensity, which began in May 2023, officers from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit have targeted a criminal network operating across the country, including in Ayrshire. Properties in the county were among the 46 raided in both rural and urban areas as "large quantities" of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, pills and herbal cannabis were seized. Three firearms, including a handgun, air weapon and a BB gun, were also recovered with ammunition from the addresses as police aimed to disrupt the gang. Following enquiries, police believe the group was well resourced and was exploiting vulnerable people in some of the most deprived communities to fund their crimes. Couriers travelling by car were used to operate dealing lines, who were then re-supplied from safe houses. Alongside this enforcement activity, 11 children were safeguarded after officers identified they were at risk from the gang as part of their criminal activities. They were referred to partner agencies or passed into the care of family members. Detective Superintendent Stevie Elliot of Police Scotland said: 'This operation is a clear example of how we use our national resources, alongside the knowledge of our local policing teams, to bring down large gangs operating across the country. 'Our strategy was maximising the safety of the public and protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and young people who are all too often coerced and groomed by County Lines drug dealers. 'Organised criminal gangs show no shame or remorse for their actions and all their activities are focused on profiting from exploitation. 'These arrests and seizures highlight our dedication to tackling organised networks in Scotland. Illegal substances cause real harm and misery to individuals, families and communities. 'This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce where we work with partners on a multi-agency approach to tackling the threat of OCGs. 'We cannot do this alone and we need the public's help to rid these gangs from their communities. I would urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs or organised activities should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
