Edinburgh woman convicted for smuggling drugs

A woman who illegally smuggled drugs in and out of the country has been convicted.

Following a multi-agency investigation by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership, a specialist team of Police Scotland and NCA officers, a package containing MDMA, sent by 40-year-old Xiao Ya Chen was intercepted in September last year on its way to Argentina.

Further enquiries established that Chen had received packages containing MDMA and herbal cannabis from Belgium in November of last year.

Officers arrested her on Tuesday, 26 November last year and a search of her home address in Edinburgh found further quantities of herbal cannabis along with £5000 in cash. The potential street value of controlled substances seized during the investigation totalled £277,100.

She was convicted at Edinburgh High Court on Friday (13 March 2020) after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of controlled substances and is due to be sentenced next month.

Members of the OCP, which includes Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency (NCA) operating under the agreement of the Lord Advocate, have now welcomed Chen’s conviction.

NCA Operations Manager, John McGowan of the Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland) said: “Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for organised crime groups, many of whom are involved in multiple crime types.

“There is exploitation and violence involved at almost every level, from source countries to the streets of Scotland where these substances are sold. This is why we are determined to do all we can with our partners such as Police Scotland and Border Force to disrupt those involved in the importation and supply of controlled drugs.”

Detective Inspector Tom Gillan of the Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland) said: “This is another excellent example of partnership working with the Border Force, Organised Crime Partnership and Police Scotland Divisional policing as key stakeholders to prevent these dangerous controlled substances reaching Scottish communities.”

Auld Reekie is hooked!

New ‘Sea for Yourself’ campaign unveils Brits’ cooking habits at home, raising awareness of seafood caught in UK waters including sole, crab, monkfish, mussels, and herring
Study reveals more than half (55%) of Edinburgh residents surveyed are planning to eat more healthily this spring – with seafood high on the menu
More than a third of Edinburgh locals (34%) would incorporate even more fish into their diet if they felt more confident cooking it, with 64% people calling out seafood’s health benefits as the main reason for wanting to

New research has revealed that four times as many Edinburgh residents (23%) think seafood such as hake, mackerel, and trout is better to eat than avocados to get fit and healthy.

Edinburghers are picking fish, fruit, and wholegrain carbs as the top health foods to help them prepare for exercise and training, over wellness favourites like protein shakes (5%) and avocados (5%).

The study of 4,000 adults for the ‘Sea for Yourself’ campaign, an initiative supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Non-Departmental Public Body Seafish, highlights the foods we are cooking at home, and their attitudes towards exercising and healthy eating. The findings come as British Olympian, Denise Lewis OBE, backs seafood caught in UK waters as an important part of a well-balanced diet.

Packed full of protein, omega-3 fats and essential vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, selenium, iodine and certain B vitamins, as well as zinc in shellfish, and vitamin D in oily fish, the health benefits of eating seafood are widely acknowledged, and more than half of the UK (52%) are already cooking salmon and tuna dishes at least once a week.

However, 34% of locals admit they would integrate more fish into their diets if they felt more confident cooking it, with 64% people calling out seafood’s health benefits as the main reason for wanting to.

Delicious, easy-to-cook species such as monkfish, mussels, and lemon sole are sometimes overlooked for our nation’s favourites but provide a great alternative to mix up a healthy diet and help Brits out of a recipe rut.

Denise Lewis OBE, British gold-medal Olympian, said: “As a former Olympian, I’ve always been committed to maintaining a healthy diet so I can live life to the full and stay fit enough to race around with my kids.

“Twenty years on from winning gold at the Sydney 2000, seafood continues to be my favourite source of protein and healthy fats, and I love the variety it allows me. Whether I’m concentrating on my training regime or whipping up a tasty meal like grilled brown trout with spinach for my family, testing out a simple yet delicious new seafood recipe is my go-to cooking choice.”

Juliette Kellow, Consultant Nutritionist at Seafish, added: “Most of us are familiar with nutrition advice that encourages us to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables for optimal health, and it’s the same when it comes to seafood.

“Many varieties of fish provide a range of B vitamins, including vitamins B3, B6 and B12, all of which help fight fatigue for those of us always on the go.

“Incorporating new fish like herring, coley or hake, and shellfish like crab and mussels into your diet is smart as they provide a great source of protein and allow you to make the most of all the health benefits seafood offers.

“Whether you’re going through a busy period or have an active lifestyle, you don’t have to be an Olympian to enjoy the wealth of health benefits seafood has to offer.”

Edinburgh’s top 5 food sources for training and exercise
1	Fruit	30%
2	Wholegrain carbs such as brown bread, rice and pasta	30%
3	Fish and shellfish	23%
4	Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and cabbage	32%
5	Eggs	15%

For more information about the health benefits of fish or to discover new recipes to try at home, visit fishisthedish.co.uk.

PM leads drive to defeat Coronavirus

New daily press conferences to keep public informed on how to protect themselves
Meetings with manufacturing industry and calls with international leaders will drive forward efforts to curb the virus
UK leading international efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine and produce the medical equipment needed to help people recover

From today, daily press conferences will be hosted by the Prime Minister and senior Ministers on the coronavirus pandemic, supported by scientific and medical experts including the Chief Medical Office and Chief Scientific Adviser.

The press conferences form part of the government’s commitment to clarity and transparency in order to ensure British people are fully informed about the steps they can take to protect themselves and others.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister and this Government are committed to keeping the public informed every step of the way about what we’re doing to fight the spread of coronavirus, when we’re doing it and why we’re doing it. At all times we will be led by the science to bring forward the right responses at the right time to this global pandemic.”

Boris Johnson will speak to British manufacturers including Unipart Group this morning to ask them to support production of essential medical equipment for the NHS. He will stress the vital role of Britain’s manufacturers in preparing the country for a significant spread of coronavirus and call on them to step up and support the nationwide effort to fight the virus.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Preparing for the spread of the coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we’re calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis.

“We need to step up production of vital equipment such as ventilators so that we can all help the most vulnerable, and we need businesses to come to us and help in this national effort.”

This afternoon the Prime Minister will also chair another meeting of the COBR emergency committee to coordinate the government’s ongoing response to coronavirus. The meeting is expected to include discussion on current modelling of the outbreak and next steps on plans around shielding elderly and vulnerable people, household isolation and mass gatherings.

Following his calls over the last few days with world leaders – including President Trump, Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Abe, Prime Minister Conte and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman – the Prime Minister will continue his engagement with international partners to ensure a coordinated global response to the outbreak.

Tomorrow all G7 leaders will participate in a call to discuss international efforts. The Prime Minister will encourage fellow leaders to support the World Health Organization response, provide funding and expertise for research that can ensure rapid progress to develop a vaccine, and drive forward support to mitigate the economic impacts of the crisis.

In the past few weeks the UK has provided up to £150 million to the IMF’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust to support the economies of developing countries affected by the virus, £50 million for the Centre for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations which is leading the global research and development of a vaccine, £25 million for further research into the virus including to develop a rapid test, and £10 million for the WHO’s flash appeal for the outbreak.

Coronavirus: Mass gathering guidance takes effect today

Guidance advising that gatherings of 500 people or more should not take place in Scotland has been published.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the action last week to protect the resilience of public services – especially emergency services and the NHS – until the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has lessened substantially.

The guidance now asks organisers of all large events – indoors or outdoors – to cancel or postpone.

The Scottish government does not currently have powers to cancel events, but is encouraging and advising organisers to act responsibly to support the efforts of emergency services and the wider public sector to prepare for increased numbers of cases of COVID-19 (coronovirus).

The guidance applies across the board to ensure clarity for event organisers.

The First Minister said: “At a time when there is severe pressure on our fantastic emergency and public services as a result of the virus, it is only right that we seek to remove unnecessary burdens on frontline workers.

“By advising organisers not to hold large gatherings of 500 people or more in Scotland we are enabling services to prioritise their resources to where they are needed most.

“This is just one of the ways that life will change in the coming weeks and months and while this will cause some disruption it will help us all to prepare for the virus and to protect ourselves and each other in the long run.

“As the amount of work required to fight COVID-19 increases over the next few days and weeks it is vital that people continue to follow the health advice such as handwashing and staying at home if you have any mild symptoms.”

‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice to organisers on mass events’ is available on the Scottish Government website.

Panic buying could force Food Bank closures

‘THERE IS ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER’

Food banks are facing huge challenges due to panic buying caused by public fears over the coronavirus.

Over the last week there have been growing shortages on supermarket shelves as worried shoppers stockpile tinned goods, pasta, toilet rolls and other essential goods – despite an appeal for common sense.

Major supermarkets responded to what is bordering on mass hysteria by issuing a joint letter yesterday:

Panic buying is having a serious effect on food bank stocks and there are fears that some may have to close unless some sanity is restored.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust said last week: “Time and again over the past decade, food banks across the UK – aided by a generous public who have donated time, food and money – have stepped up to protect people on the lowest incomes in our communities. But with the spread of coronavirus we all now face an unprecedented challenge and uncertain future.

It is possible that food banks will face increased demand as people lose income, at the same time as food donations drop or staff and volunteers are unavailable, due to measures rightly put in place to slow the spread of infection. All of this comes when food banks are already dealing with a record level of need for emergency food.

“We’re working with our network on how best to support people as the situation unfolds. Wherever possible, food banks will continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food to people unable to afford the essentials and we encourage the public to continue donating after checking with their local food bank what items are most needed.

“We welcome the Department for Work and Pensions’ measures that will not penalise or sanction people for self-isolating, but we ask our government to go further and consider additional measures they could take to ensure everyone has enough money for essentials at this challenging time. Ending the five week wait for a first Universal Credit payment would be one such measure that could help significantly.”