Tag: Police Scotland

Three men sentenced following drugs offences across central belt

Three men have been sent to prison for serious and organised crime offences involving the large-scale supply of class A drugs based in Glasgow and stretching across the central belt of Scotland.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, yesterday (Friday, 10 May), Paul Martin, Peter Dickson and Grant Japp, were sentenced to five years and eight months, four years and three months, and three years and four months respectively.

Martin aged 43, Dickson aged 34, and Japp aged 30, had previously pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow.

Acting on intelligence officers, executed a number of warrants in Glasgow which led to the arrest of Jaap in May 2021. Further enquiries resulted in Dickson also being apprehended.

A complex investigation enabled officers to identify Martin as the ring-leader. This included infiltration of the encrypted messaging service Encrochat via Operation Venetic – regarded as the most significant UK operation into serious and organised crime involving Police Scotland, the National Crime Agency and police forces across the UK.

Martin had fled to Spain before he could be arrested but was traced to Tenerife and extradited to Scotland in August 2022.

Detective Inspector Phillip Kennedy said: “These men made a substantial amount of money from a drugs operation importing and selling Class A drugs in the central belt of Scotland.

“Martin, in particular, lived a lavish lifestyle with properties in Scotland and Spain.

“The three men blighted our communities with drugs and their sentencing comes after a complex investigation.

“Disrupting the activities of organised crime groups and making the country an extremely hostile environment for them to operate is one of Police Scotland’s top priorities.

“There is no place for serious organised criminality in our society and, working in partnership with law enforcement agencies and the members of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, we will continue our fight against those involved in serious and organised crime to keep our communities safe.”

Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs in their community is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Man arrested following Broomhouse cannabis discovery

Around 9am yesterday (Wednesday, 8 May), whilst executing a warrant at an address on Broomhouse Place North, officers from Edinburgh South West Community Policing Team discovered controlled drugs, believed to be cannabis, both herbal and plants, with an estimated street value of £303,000.

A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 9 May 2024. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Three face court following Magdalene heroin seizure

Three people have been arrested and charged after heroin worth a six-figure sum was recovered within a flat in Edinburgh.

On the evening of Tuesday, 7 May, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at a property in Magdalene Way where a quantity of the Class A drug worth an estimated street value of £199,000 was discovered.

Two women, aged 19 and 42, and a 20-year-old man were arrested and charged in connection and were released on an undertaking to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Missing Man: Body found near Forth

Around 4.35pm on Sunday (5th May 2024), the body of a man was discovered in a wooded area near Forth in Lanarkshire.

Formal identification is still to take place however the family of Robert Dickson (above), who had been reported missing from Edinburgh, have been informed.

There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Appeal after remains of osprey found

Police are appealing for information after the remains of an osprey were found near Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross on Friday (3 May, 2024).

The protected species is believed to have been nesting at Loch of the Lowes, close to where it was found.

Enquiries are at an early stage to establish the full circumstances.

Inspector James Longden said: “It is illegal to kill any protected species and we are working closely alongside partner agencies to confirm what has happened here and whether there is any criminality involved.

“Information from the local community could prove vital and it is important we speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, or who may know something which could assist our investigation.

“Any information can be passed to Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3266 of Friday, 3 May, 2024. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

More information on wildlife crime can be found on our website:

 https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/wildlife-crime/

PICTURE: RSPB

Missing man: Have you seen Robert?

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 35-year-old man reported missing in Edinburgh.

Robert Dickson was last seen in the Halmyre Street area around 12.30pm yesterday – Saturday, 4 May, 2024.

He is described as being around 5ft 6in tall, of slim to medium build with short, light brown hair. He wears glasses.

When last seen he was wearing a grey tracksuit top, dark trousers and brown boots.

Concerns are growing for Robert’s welfare and enquiries are ongoing to trace him.

Officers are appealing to anyone who has seen Robert or who has any information on his whereabouts to get in touch.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 4067 of 4 May, 2024.

Witness appeal following attempted armed robbery in Trinity

SUSPECT HAS ‘DISTINCTIVE GAIT‘

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in Trinity.

Around 6.40pm yesterday (Saturday, 4 May, 2024) a man presented at the door of a home on Lomond Road with a knife and demanded money from the occupiers.

No one was injured.

Police are keen to trace a man described as being around 5ft 6ins tall, 40-50 years old, and of slight build. He was wearing a blue anorak, dark trousers, white trainers, white baseball cap and checked scarf covering face.

The man is also described as having a Scottish accent and walks with a distinctive gait.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Our enquiries so far have established that this man attended at multiple properties along Lomond Road last night.

“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area who saw or heard anything suspicious. Similarly, anyone with private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the area is urged to review the footage and bring anything significant to our attention.”

Anyone with any information can call 101, quoting incident 3144 of 4 May.

Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police Scotland: Special Constable Recruitment Event

Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity like no other? Then don’t miss our Special Constable Recruitment event at the Scottish Police College on Saturday, 11 May 2024.

Sign-up today using the below link to guarantee your place.

Being a Special Constable is not just about upholding the law and catching criminals, it’s also about supporting communities by building trust, respect, and positive relationships. You will be there to make a difference to those who need it most.

Do you want a volunteering role that is built around you, one that will improve the safety and wellbeing of the people, places, and communities of Scotland, one that upholds the law and our values of integrity, fairness, respect, and our commitment to upholding human rights, we want you to apply to become a Special Constable.

The benefits are:

• You will be part of a team of highly trained professionals.

• You will have identical powers to that of a police officer.

• You will receive excellent training and wellbeing support.

• You will find out if the job of a full-time police officer is for you.

Man jailed for serious sexual assault

A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for a serious sexual assault on a woman in Edinburgh on Sunday, 19 December, 2021.

Toby Gayfer was sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Friday, 3 May, 2024) following his conviction on 5 April, 2024.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “This was a hugely distressing experience for Gayfer’s victim and I hope that today’s sentencing will provide her with some closure.

“He now faces the consequences of his despicable actions.

“I hope this sentencing sends a clear message that this type of violence will not be tolerated. We are wholly committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.

“I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us, regardless of when it happened.

“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”

Missing Man: Have you seen Keith?

Police Scotland are appealing for assistance in tracing Keith Brodie who has been reported missing from the Leith area.

Keith is 30 years old. He is a white male, with short fair coloured hair, 5ft 6, broad build, last seen wearing a red baseball cap, red tartan jacket and grey jogging bottoms.

He was last seen in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, at about 1.45pm today (30/4/24).

If anyone has any information as to his whereabouts or has seen him, please can they contact police on 101 quoting incident number 3719 of 30/4/24.