As part of an operation to combat illegal substances in the north east area of Edinburgh a man has been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.
Officers from Operation Elate arrested the 26-year-old man around 5.40pm yesterday (Wednesday, 6 March, 2024) in Elgin Street, Leith. Subsequently, class A drugs with a street value of £5,160 and over £700 in cash were recovered.
The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday 4th April.
Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal said: “Drugs cause miseries in our communities and officers continue to work to remove illegal substances from our streets.
“Information from the public has an important role and we ask anyone with concerns about drugs to contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
POLICE are appealing for information after a drone crashed near HMP Edinburgh. The incident was reported to police around 1.05am yesterday (Wednesday, 17 January).
We are working with partners in the Scottish Prison Service to establish the full circumstances, but enquiries so far indicate the drone was carrying a package of drugs.
Sergeant Mark Coull said: “It is believed the drone operator was in the Longstone Road area. Residents may have CCTV or even a passing motorist could have dash-cam footage that could assist us. We are keen to speak to anyone with information that could trace those responsible.
“Drugs bring nothing but misery and harm. We depend on the support from our partners and members of the public, and will continue to use every tool and tactic at our disposal to remove illegal substances from our communities.”
Anyone who can assist with our enquiries can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference 0123 of Wednesday, 17 January, 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police Scotland’s commitment to disrupting the activities of organised crime groups is unwavering, as latest figures show that millions of pounds worth of illegal drugs were seized between July and September 2023.
The Quarter 2 2023-24 Performance Report details activity by officers across the country, which saw cocaine, heroin and cannabis as well as quantities of cash being recovered. A number of arrests were also made.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Police Scotland is committed to disrupting the activities of organised criminals, who trade in misery by selling and supplying illegal drugs, and making Scotland a hostile environment for them to operate.
“Our role, working in partnership with other others including the members of the country’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, is vital in preventing these drugs reaching our streets and adding to the terrible toll of drugs deaths.
“Activity detailed in the latest Performance Report underlines our commitment to reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities.
“The seizures will impact the activities of those involved and help keep our communities safe.”
Eight men have been arrested and cocaine worth up to £225,000 was seized in a day of action targeting county lines drug activity in Edinburgh.
The action was taken yesterday (Tuesday, 5 September) and focused on eight addresses in Edinburgh and two in London, with support from the Metropolitan Police.
Officers from Edinburgh also worked with colleagues in Highland & Islands Division as part of the investigation, looking into wider links in the Inverness area.
Cocaine worth up to £225,000 was seized over the course of the day along with up to £30,000 in cash.
The eight men, aged between 41 and 21, were arrested and charged in connection with various drug and immigration offences. They are all due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday, 6 September).
Detective Superintendent Iain Ramsay said: “We are committed to identifying the supply chain which brings drugs into Edinburgh and disrupting the activity of people intent on bringing harm to our communities.
“The county lines model shows crime does not respect borders.
“Activity such as this cross-border operation shows the benefit of working closely with partner agencies in response to concerns raised by local communities, as well working with colleagues across Police Scotland.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of investigations such as this. Communities should not have to tolerate the damage caused by drugs and I would urge anyone with information which can help us deal with those responsible to pass this on.”
“If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of controlled drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Decriminalisation of all drugs for personal supply is one of a number of polices which the Scottish Government is calling on the UK Government to implement in a new paper on drug law reform.
The move would allow people found in possession of drugs to be treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded. Decriminalisation would also mean that without a criminal record, people in recovery would have a better chance of employment.
The document has been published by the Scottish Government outlining measures which could be implemented through further devolution, independence, or changes enacted immediately by the UK Government to support the work being done within existing powers to reduce drug deaths.
Among the proposals are:
Decriminalisation of all drugs for personal supply progressed as part of a wider review of drug laws
Immediate legislative changes to allow us to fully and properly implement harm reduction measures such as supervised drug consumption facilities (rather than the current proposal being explored which is constrained by having to work within existing legislation), drug checking and increased access to the life saving drug naloxone.
a roadmap for further exploration of drug law reform, focused on evidence and the reduction of harm, including an update of the drug classification system to be based on harms caused
The proposals follow recommendations made by the Drug Deaths Taskforce in September 2021.
Minister for Drugs Policy Elena Whitham said: “These are ambitious and radical proposals, grounded in evidence, that will help save lives.
“We want to create a society where problematic drug use is treated as a health, not a criminal matter, reducing stigma and discrimination and enabling the person to recover and contribute positively to society. While we know these proposals will spark debate, they are in line with our public health approach and would further our national mission to improve and save lives.
“We are working hard within the powers we have to reduce drug deaths, and while there is more we need to do, our approach is simply at odds with the Westminster legislation we must operate within.
“These policies could be implemented by the Scottish Government through the devolution of further, specific powers to Holyrood including the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – or through independence. An immediate way for these policies to be enacted would be for the UK Government to use its existing powers to change its drug laws.
“Scotland needs a caring, compassionate and human rights informed drugs policy, with public health and the reduction of harm as its underlying principles, and we are ready to work with the UK Government to put into practice this progressive policy.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said: “Trying to solve Scotland’s drug death crisis by decriminalising dangerous class-A drugs is reckless.
“To tackle the highest drug death rate in Europe, Humza Yousaf needs to back our Right to Recovery Bill.”
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have been calling for the decriminalisation of drug misuse for years. From rehab spaces to support for families, there are pressing areas where action is needed. This is an urgent public health crisis and ministers need to act like it.
Three men have been jailed after pleading guilty to running a county drug line between London and Edinburgh.
Michael Orguns, 24, Harrison Kimpembe, 27 and Kalil Nuur, 20, all from London were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow today (Friday, 13 January).
They had previously pleaded guilty to drug supply offences in connection with £130,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine recovered in Edinburgh between 6 April and the October, 2021.
Orguns (above), who was recognised by the court as being in control of the drug line and principal member of the group, was sentenced to five years and three months.
Kimpembe (above) was sentenced to five years and Nuur sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment.
It followed an investigation by the specialist Edinburgh County Lines Unit.
Detective Sergeant David Wright said: “We welcome the conviction of these three men and this significant recovery of controlled drugs and subsequent conviction sends a strong message to those who deal drugs in our communities.
“We are committed to identifying and disrupting the supply chains which bring drugs into Edinburgh and we worked closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to identify those involved.”
“The county lines model shows crime does not respect borders and we are committed to identifying and bringing offenders such as Kimpembe, Orguns and Nuur to justice, wherever in the country they are based.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of investigations such as this. Communities should not have to tolerate the damage caused by drugs and I would urge anyone with information which can help us deal with those responsible to pass this on.”
“If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of controlled drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Detectives are appealing for information following an assault in Edinburgh on Saturday (7 January 2023).
Around 8.35pm, a 36-year-old man was approached by a man, who attempted to strike him with a weapon. The attack took place in Cumnor Crescent.
Extensive enquiries are ongoing to help trace the man responsible.
The suspect is described as white, in his mid to late teens, around 5ft 6in tall and of skinny build. He was wearing a tracksuit, with a black balaclava, black gloves, and possibly a black body warmer.
Following the assault the suspect was seen entering a brown Mitsubishi Outlander which drove off towards Glenvarloch Crescent.
Enquiries have revealed the vehicle was stolen from Brighouse Park Close in the early hours of Saturday, 7 January, 2023.
A brown Mitsubishi Outlander was discovered on fire in Foxglove Close, Edinburgh, at around 12.10am on Monday, 9 January, 2023.
The vehicle is quite distinctive with roof bars and a tow bar at the rear.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who might have information to help trace those responsible.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, from Edinburgh CID, said: “Thankfully the man was not injured but it is vital we trace those responsible.
“This appears to have been a targeted attack and we do not believe there was any risk to the wider public.
“A brown Mitsubishi Outlander was discovered on fire in Foxglove Close, Edinburgh, and we believe it may be linked to the incident.
“I would like to hear from anyone who recognises the vehicle and may have information about its movements over the past few days.
“We’re also keen to hear from anyone with potential dashcam footage or private CCTV, as it could prove vital to our enquiries.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 3142 of 7 January, 2023.
Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
A novel harm reduction initiative to help healthcare staff monitor and treat people who inject drugs has helped support more than 800 vulnerable people since launching.
The WAND programme, which incentivises the city’s most hard-to-reach communities to regularly engage with the health service, has helped facilitate more than 5,000 harm reduction interventions across three participating sites, with more than 1,200 WAND assessments taking place since the programme launched in September 2020.
Operating from three centres in Glasgow, the programme focusses on providing a holistic approach to addressing drug harms such as overdoses, blood borne viruses, and injecting related complications. It comprises:
W: Wound Care
A: Assessment of Injecting Risk
N: Naloxone Provision
D: Dry Blood Spot Testing
People who inject drugs can be hard to keep engaged with the health service, which is crucial in helping reduce the harms of drugs by providing advice and treatments and access to other services to help them.
WAND works by providing a £20 redeemable voucher to patients and encourages patients to return for follow up assessments every three – four months. The vouchers can then be exchanged for cash or other essentials. It’s one of a number of harm reduction programmes running across NHSGGC to help tackle the drugs crisis.
Through the interventions, staff can provide immediate care to the patients, helping avoid trips to A&E or further harm being caused further down the line. It also ensures that if a patient has a Blood Borne Virus such as HIV for example, this can be picked up at an early stage through dry blood spot testing and appropriate information and treatment can be provided to the patient.
John Campbell, Injection Equipment Provision Manager for NHSGGC, said: “WAND is by far the most successful harm reduction initiative running in Glasgow today. Individuals we look after come from the hardest to reach communities and WAND provides us with an insight and touch point with them that we would never previously have had.
“This means that through early intervention we can stop problems getting worse, which would cost more to address had they gone undiagnosed or untreated, and we can also encourage those patients to consider moving into recovery or to engage with other means of support to help them.”
As part of the 30 minute assessment, patients are also encouraged to carry naloxone with them at all times. Naloxone is a lifesaving injectable which is used to reverse overdoses. In the past year alone more than 3000 naloxone kits have been distributed, and more than 18,000 have been issued in total. Every week there are instances of naloxone being used to reverse overdoses in patients.
John Campbell added: “Naloxone is literally a life-saving device for many people. If we can ensure that our patients are trained and carry the kit at all times, it means that we’ll hopefully see far fewer deaths as a result of overdose in the future.”
The WAND initiative was recently referenced in the Scottish Drugs Deaths Taskforce report, which made the recommendation that the programme be rolled out on a larger scale due to its success in supporting and monitoring patients in the city.
Official statistics for 2021 show decrease of just 1%
While welcoming an end to seven annual increases in drugs deaths, Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance made clear the situation remains “unacceptable”, and work will continue at pace to address the emergency.
The latest National Records of Scotland statistics show 1,330 people lost their lives in 2021 – a decrease of 1% and Ms Constance says it is clear there remains much work to do to save lives.
A national mission was announced in January 2021 to tackle rising death deaths in Scotland with additional funding of £250 million over the course of this Parliament.
The first year of the national mission has seen the introduction of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards, the expansion of residential rehabilitation provision, the setting of a new treatment target, increased funding to community and grass-roots organisations and the laying of ground work for innovation such as Safer Drug Consumption Facilities.
1,330 people lost their lives to drug misuse in Scotland in 2021, according to latest figures published by National Records of Scotland.
The number is 1% lower than 2020 which makes it the first year since 2013 in which drug misuse deaths have not increased. However, it is still the second highest annual total on record.
Of those who died from the misuse of drugs, 65% were aged between 35 and 54 years old and more than two thirds (70%) were men.
Dundee City had the highest age-standardised drug misuse death rate of all local authority areas (45.2 per 100,000 population for the 5-year period 2017-2021), followed by Glasgow City (44.4) and Inverclyde (35.7).
Julie Ramsay, Vital Events Statistician at NRS, said: “Drug misuse deaths have increased substantially over the past few decades – there were more than five times as many deaths in 2021 compared with 1996. 2021 is the first year since 2013 that drug misuse deaths have not increased.
“In 2021, after adjusting for age, people in the most deprived areas were more than 15 times as likely to have a drug misuse death as those in the least deprived areas. This ratio has widened over the past two decades.”
In 93% of all drug misuse deaths, more than one drug was found to be present in the body, and the type of drugs that are implicated in deaths has been changing. In 2015 there were 191 deaths involving benzodiazepines, last year there were 918, near five times as many.
This increase has mostly been driven by street benzodiazepines rather than those which are prescribed. Of all drug misuse deaths in 2021, 84% involved opiates or opioids (such as heroin, morphine and methadone). 69% involved benzodiazepines (such as diazepam and etizolam).
In 2020 (the most recent year available for the rest of the UK) Scotland’s drug misuse rate was 3.7 times that for the UK as a whole, and higher than that of any European country.
Ms Constance said: “Scotland suffers a terrible toll from drug deaths, leaving families grieving and in pain and my heart goes out to all those affected by the death of a loved one through drugs.
“These latest statistics provide yet more heart-breaking reading, and the situation remains unacceptable. While there is so much more work to do, every life saved means one less family grieving and I am determined we can use this halt in the upward trend of recent years as a platform for real change.
“My focus now is on taking action and delivering new investment to improve services and get more people into the treatment which works for them. Residential rehabilitation is one of a range of treatment options available and today I am visiting River Garden Auchincruive to speak to residents and staff about the services provided. Later I will be meeting some families affected by a loved one’s drug use and asking what more we can do to help.
“I am concerned about the rise in deaths among women and will look to expand on current steps we are taking including the provision of two Mother and Child Residential Recovery Houses which will enable women to receive support while staying with their children.
“Despite regional differences, we are focused on a national mission and I’ll continue to use all the powers at my disposal, including holding local leaders to account in implementing the MAT standards, to drive improvements across Scotland.
“We are already implementing many of the recommendations from The Drug Deaths Taskforce, which issued its final recommendations last week, and I will report back on further actions to Parliament.
“In the first year of the National Mission we built the foundations for change. Now, with the backing of £250 million over the course of this Parliament, we will deliver on those foundations and our new Oversight Group will provide scrutiny, challenge and expert advice on the National Mission as we continue our efforts to improve and save lives.”
River Garden Operations Manager Mikael Heddelin said: “We offer a very different approach to recovery which allows residents to leave behind their addictions.
“Importantly that comes from communal support of peers and meaningful and qualitative work via our on-site social enterprises. We provide training, help develop competence in a range of areas and facilitate reintegration back into society.
“Peer support and lived experience are key elements in the recovery journey at River Garden. Our ethos and culture allows our residents to recover without stigma and the local community play a huge part in what we do.”
River Garden resident Paul said: “I grew up in care and began using drugs at the age of 12. Throughout my life I tried various rehabs, none of them worked.
“At the age of 47 I joined River Garden. I have been here almost two years and I have purpose and self-worth. I’m happy and healthy and I feel good about myself.
“River Garden has been totally transformational for me. I really enjoy the work and the camaraderie. I have made many friends amongst the volunteers, the visitors and the contactors who work at River Garden.”
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs commented: ““My deepest condolences are with the family and friends of those who have died due to drugs.
“In Lothian the number of people who died due to drug misuse last year has doubled from ten years ago.
“SNP Ministers approach to tackling drug deaths is an unequivocal failure with drug deaths continuing to rise in Lothian for the last six years.
“If Angela Constance, the Minister for Drugs Policy, can’t reduce drug deaths in her own region of Lothian, then this does not bode well for the rest of Scotland.
“SNP and Green Ministers must get on board with the Scottish Conservatives Right to Rehab Bill, to ensure that everyone who needs rehabilitation for drugs has access to it.
“These latest shocking numbers clearly suggest that there is a particular problem in turning around the situation in Lothian. If that is the case, then SNP Ministers must consider direct control over drug services to drive urgent reforms.”
LAST Friday (15th July), officers from the Drylaw Locality Initiative Team executed a warrant on Wardieburn Place East, uncovering a cannabis cultivation with a potential street value of £400,000.
Two men have since been remanded in custody.
This is one of three cultivations uncovered by the Drylaw team over the past three weeks in the North of Edinburgh, totalling the recovery of drugs to a value in excess of three quarters of a million pounds.
