Drugs worth £16m seized in Scotland in past year

Drug seizures in Scotland are part of a major drive against organised crime

Class A drugs with an estimated street value of more than £16m have been seized in Scotland in the past year, according to official figures.

The seizures were among a number of successes reported by the serious organised crime taskforce.

The taskforce also recorded more than 600 arrests of people known to be involved in serious organised crime.

The report marks exactly one year since the taskforce published its strategy to tackle organised crime in Scotland.

Last June, the Scottish government announced a two-year £4m funding package which included creating 80 new posts at the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill also unveiled a new Scottish intelligence and co-ordination unit to map organised crime and enhance law enforcement operations.

Last month Mr MacAskill announced that the maximum amount of cash that Scottish ministers can retain from cases under the Proceeds of Crime Act would be increased from £17m to £30m a year.

He is due to meet members of the serious organised crime taskforce in Dundee to highlight collective successes against organised crime and set out their strategy in Scotland for the year ahead.

The £16m of seizures amounted to 240kg of class A drugs.