Drugs worth a six-figure sum have been recovered by police in Edinburgh.
Around 11.40 am on Thursday, 11 January 2024, police acting under warrant recovered a quantity of controlled drugs whilst searching addresses in Lochend Quadrant and Lochend Road South, Edinburgh.
The drugs, believed to be diamorphine, crack cocaine and cannabis, have a combined estimated street value of £247,500. A five-figure sum of cash was also recovered.
Two men, aged 57 and 30 years, have been arrested and charged following the find. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Friday, 12 January ). A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat, Edinburgh Pro-active CID, said: “Officers will continue to disrupt the supply and possession of drugs in our area.
“This work often relies on the support of the public, so if you have any information or concerns about drug misuse, please call Police Scotland on 101 or report this anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
POLICE are re-appealing to the public for help in trying to locate 35-year-old, Khasha Smith, missing from the Calder area of Edinburgh.
On Friday, 5 January 2024 a member of Khasha’s family contacted police to report her missing and inform them that she had not been in contact since 1st and 4th of November, 2023.
Khasha is around 5ft tall, with a slim build. She has blue eyes and long, blonde hair. She also has tattoos, one which is visible on her right wrist and says ‘Forever’.
Extensive enquiries are under way to trace Khasha but there have been no confirmed sightings or contact since early November and her family is understandably concerned.
Officers are checking a potential sighting in Slateford between 21 and 24 of November, 2023. They are also reviewing any relevant CCTV footage in the hope that it will provide additional information on where Khasha has gone.
Inspector Keith Forrester said: “We are extremely concerned for Khasha. She normally maintains contact with her family and it is unusual for her to not be in touch for this length of time.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen Khasha or who may have any information which could assist in us locating her to get in touch.
“Please don’t think what you know is irrelevant – let us decide its significance. Your information could be vital in helping us trace Khasha.”.
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January, 2024.
A third person has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 38-year-old local man in Granton on Hogmanay.
The 33-year-old woman was arrested yesterday (Monday, 8 January) and has now been charged. She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Wednesday, 10 January).
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged outside the Anchor Inn in West Granton Road.
Two men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital . The 38-year-old man, Marc Webley, was pronounced dead a short time later. The other man remains in hospital.
A 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have already been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Both appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Monday, 8 January). Grant Hunter and Emma McVie made no plea and have been remanded in custody.
POLICE are appealing for help from the public to trace a 35-year-old woman from Edinburgh.
Khasha Smith was reported missing on Friday, 5 January, 2024, from the Calder area of the city after concerns were raised by her family, who have not heard from her since Saturday, 4 November, 2023.
She is described as around 5ft tall, of a slim build, with long, blonde hair and blue eyes. She also has some tattoos, one of which is visible on her right wrist and says ‘forever’.
Inspector Paul Thomson said: “We are growing concerned for Khasha’s welfare due to the lack of contact with family and are appealing for help to find her.
“We are not sure at this time what Khasha is wearing, but know she likes to frequent the Gorgie area of the city and may be staying with friends there.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen her, or has information on where she might be, to please get in touch. If Khasha herself sees this appeal, I would ask her to please make contact so we know she is safe and well.”
Anyone with any information can contact officers via 101, quoting reference 3915 of 5 January, 2024.
Two people – a 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman – have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 38-year-old man in Granton. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday (8 January).
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged in West Granton Road, seriously injuring two men.
Both men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital, where the 38-year-old man – named locally as Marc Webley – was pronounced dead a short time later. The other man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Enquiries are ongoing and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a 38-year-old man in West Granton.A 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged in West Granton Road, seriously injuring two men.
Both men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital, where the 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later. The dead man has been named locally as Marc Webley.
Enquiries are ongoing and police continue to appeal for information.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant, Major Investigation Team, said: “We’d like to thank the local community for their support and patience while enquiries are ongoing.
“There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area and anyone with further concerns should speak to officers, call 101, or in the case of an emergency, 999.”
Detectives are appealing for information following a serious assault in Edinburgh city centre.
About 3.30am on Monday, 1 January, 2024 two men were seriously assaulted in Rose Street, Edinburgh at it’s junction with Frederick Street by a group of men and women.
The men who suffered head and facial injuries were taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe from Edinburgh CID said “This was a brutal attack and it is imperative that we trace the people responsible and are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time.
“We know there was a pedestrian who would have witnessed this assault and may have information that can help us. I would also appeal to the people who stopped and provided first aid to the two injured men.”
Anyone with any information, or footage of the incident, should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1142 of Monday, 1 January 2024. Alternatively, a call can be made anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
DID YOU SEE RED HYUNDAI TUCSON IN THE AREA ON NIGHT OF SHOOTING?
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information following the murder of a man during a firearms incident in Granton on Hogmanay.
Police were called to Granton Crescent around 11.50pm after a firearm was discharged, seriously injuring two men. Emergency services attended and the two men were taken to hospital, where a 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later.
A 39-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The dead man has been named locally as Marc Webley.
From enquiries carried out so far, it is understood a red Hyundai Tucson pulled up beside the men in West Granton Road.
The driver exited the vehicle and discharged the firearm before returning to the vehicle and making off travelling eastwards towards Leith.
Detectives believe there was at least one other person within the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Road closures remain in place on West Granton Road and Granton Crescent while police enquiries continue.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said: “An extensive police investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and we are doing everything we possibly can to identify and trace whoever is responsible.
“We would like to thank members of the public who have assisted our enquiries so far and would continue to ask anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken to us to please come forward.
“In particular, we are appealing for any information or footage of the suspect vehicle and it’s movements before and after the incident happened. If you saw this vehicle in the surrounding area late on Sunday evening, we would like to hear from you.
“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of both men involved.”
Superintendent Sam Ainslie said: “We completely understand local community concern following this shocking incident and would like to reassure members of the public that this is believed to have been an isolated targeted attack.
“Police Scotland takes incidents of this nature extremely seriously, this type of reckless criminality will not be tolerated, and we will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Officers continue to carry out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance and we would urge anyone with concerns or information to contact us via 101 quoting reference 3819 of 31 December. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111”.
An online portal has been set up to allow members of the public to send information directly to the police.
Detectives are treating the death of a man as murder following a firearms incident which occurred in the Granton area last night (Sunday, 31 December).
Around 11.50pm police were called to reports of two men being seriously injured after a firearm was discharged in Granton Crescent.
Emergency services attended and the two men were taken to hospital.
A 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later and a 39-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Road closures remain in place on Granton Road and Granton Crescent while police enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said: “This is believed to have been a targeted incident and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of both men involved.
“Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened, and while officers have already gathered CCTV and spoken to various people who were in the area at the time, I’d urge anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken to us to come forward.
“In particular if anyone has private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the Granton Crescent/Road area around the time of the incident, please bring it to our attention.
“This incident will undoubtedly have caused concern in the local community and officers will be carrying out extra patrols of the area and I’d like to reassure the public that everything possible is being done to trace whoever is responsible.”
The murdered man has been named locally as Marc Webley.
Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting reference 3819 of 31 December. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Three serving and former Police Scotland officers have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours for their significant contribution to policing.
Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain (previously Temporary Assistant Chief Constable), Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire (retired) and Constable Stephanie Rose all receive the King’s Police Medal (KPM).
A further three serving and retired Police Scotland officers and staff members have also been recognised.
DC Jodie McFarlane receives the British Empire Medal for services to children and families in Ayrshire for her work with the charity Night Before Christmas Campaign, while retired Child Protection Manager, James Duffy, is named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to children.
Also honoured with the award of an MBE is Investigation and Information Manager, Stuart Cossar, for services to the investigation and to the bereaved families of the Lockerbie Air Disaster.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards are testament to the dedication to public service and professionalism our officers show right across the country, day in, day out.
“I offer my warmest congratulations to Carol, Faroque and Stephanie for this deserved recognition of their significant contribution to policing.
“I would also like to recognise the honours awarded to Jodie, James and Stuart for their commitment and compassion serving policing and our communities in Scotland and beyond.”
Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain joined Strathclyde Police in 1999.
He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2019 and appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020 where he championed partnership working and engagement.
As a Strategic Firearms Commander, Faroque has overseen and coordinated firearms assets for major events including COP26 and the Queen’s death.
After a secondment to the National Crime Agency, he was appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020, and was recently temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Partnership, Preventions and Community Wellbeing.
Chief Superintendent Hussain said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition from His Majesty the King.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with countless selfless colleagues and partners from across Scotland, and beyond, who work tirelessly to keep our fellow citizens safe.
“Most of all, I thank my wife and our family for their unwavering support.”
Chief Superintendent Carol McGuirejoined Strathclyde Police in 1995, serving in roles across local policing, emergency planning and community safety where she wrote the first Gender Equality Scheme for Strathclyde Police.
Carol later undertook a secondment to the Football Coordination Unit Scotland where she developed the first National Strategy for the Policing of Football in Scotland.
In 2017, Carol joined the Operational Support Division (Specialist Services) where she was responsible for specialist resources including Public Order and oversaw the introduction of drones to enhance air support capability.
During her time at OSD, Carole also drove the work to identify and procure new, lighter and more flexible body armour for officers. Latterly, Carol served as Divisional Commander for Dumfries and Galloway, where she is originally from, and retired in October 2023.
Chief Superintendent McGuire said: “It is fair to say I am genuinely overwhelmed and more than a little surprised to be receiving such a prestigious accolade, however, I am extremely proud as well.
“I am also enormously grateful to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my career in policing, and the many others whose support has been invaluable.
“It was a true privilege to have been a police officer, and to have led and been part of so many tremendous teams, and my thanks go to everyone who has been a part of my story.”
Constable Stephanie Rose joined Strathclyde Police in 1997 and has been a strong advocate for equality, diversion and inclusion throughout her service.
Her passion and commitment in this area is further demonstrated by Stephanie’s personal learning journey with British Sign Language (BSL). She is now fully conversant in BSL and regularly interprets for Police Scotland to deaf communities.
Stephanie developed the Keep Safe initiative in partnership with I Am Me Scotland which was piloted in Renfrewshire in 2014 before becoming a national programme in 2015. The initiative creates a network of local businesses to establish Keep Safe places for disabled, vulnerable and elderly people to go if they feel lost, confused, scared or intimidated or have been the victim of a crime.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie adopted a number of new initiatives to support and reassure disabled communities about the restrictions in place. She also developed guidance for police officers on interacting with people with autism or learning disabilities during the pandemic.
Constable Rose said: “I am hugely honoured to have been awarded the King’s Police Medal.
“I am very proud to be a police officer and have been extremely fortunate to work with some brilliant staff, officers and partners who share the vision of a fair, inclusive and accessible police service. Most importantly I have had the privilege of working with communities who have led so much positive change for policing.
“I have a particular passion for tackling hate crime and improving services for disabled people and British Sign Language communities and I hope this recognition enables us to continue making progress, as there is still more work to be done.”
