Drug cops carry out 200 cannabis raids a year

Figures obtained by the Post reveal that more than 200 planned investigations have taken place each year in the past eight years.

The number of cannabis cultivations recovered each year for the period April 1, 2011, to March 1, 2018, was 198.

The cannabis farms were then put out of action and the plants destroyed. All but nine of them were discovered in homes in Dumbarton, the Vale and Clydebank areas.

Following a Freedom of Information request, a spokesman for Police Scotland told the Post: “This does not include the number of unplanned investigations, such as an officer attending a premises within West Dunbartonshire on another matter and suspects there having cannabis on the premises.

“I have contacted the local division and research has shown that there are over 200 planned investigations a year since 2010 that relate to drugs and cultivations.”

When asked for a break down of the annual budget set aside for investigating harmful crimes as opposed to harmless crimes where there is no victim, such as growing cannabis, Police Scotland said they were unable to answer the question in full.

They replied: “Police Scotland does not record the general costs involved for any specific operation or investigation. The nature of policing necessitates that officers are deployed to wherever their services are most required.

“In relation to the annual budget for investigating harmful crimes, I can advise you that Police Scotland does not hold the information requested by you.”

Police Scotland did not hold information in relation to the resulting number of convictions.

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called for a “regulated cannabis market” after it was revealed more than 60 per cent of drug possession crimes involved cannabis in 2016-17.

The figures, obtained from the Drug Seizures and Offender Characteristics 2016-2017 report published recently revealed herbal cannabis is the most commonly seized drug by a considerable margin, with cannabis resin the second most commonly seized drug.

At the 2017 General Election last year, the Liberal Democrats revealed plans to introduce a “regulated market” to control the pricing, potency and packaging of cannabis sales to over-18s.

Mr Cole-Hamilton told the Post: “These new figures show that when it comes to drug related crime, police time is dominated by cannabis. Despite this, cannabis is freely available and widely used.

“The ‘war on drugs’ just simply isn’t working. It is costing millions and filling the pockets of criminal gangs.

“That is why Liberal Democrats believe in introducing a regulated cannabis market in UK, with robust and responsible licensing, as opposed to an unregulated criminal market. This will improve public health and protect communities.

“Of course, those dealing drugs illegally should continue to face tough criminal sanctions. But our proposals would free up the police to deal with organised crime groups and would ensure we can better manage and minimise the health risks associated with cannabis use.”

The news that around 200 planned raids a year have taken place since 2010 has been branded “alarmingly high” by the area’s politicians.

But local figures have also come out in praise of Police Scotland for taking a stance against drug crime locally.

Jackie Baillie MSP

Dumbarton MSP, Jackie Baillie said: “The levels of drug raids which are being reported across West Dunbartonshire are alarmingly high. It is equally worrying that many more cultivations may have been found in unplanned and unreported investigations.

“I am glad that Police Scotland is taking a zero-tolerance approach to drugs on our streets.

“Drugs can have a devastating impact for communities and it is important that we do everything we can to stamp out this type of crime.”

Gil Paterson MSP

MSP for Clydebank Gil Paterson said: “Police Scotland take this issue very seriously as can be seen from the number of raids carried out across West Dunbartonshire. While these operations are not the easiest to detect everything that can be done should be done.

“There is an increasing move away from cannabis farms in larger rural properties toward lots of smaller operations as criminal gangs seek to spread the risk of large quantities of drugs being discovered. These smaller drugs farms are typically clustered together as organised criminals interconnect and cooperate with each other.”

Maurice Corry MSP

West of Scotland MSP Maurice Corry added: “These figures are far higher than I would’ve imagined, equating to four planned raids per week is an incredible use of resources and public money.

“It is perhaps time that the law surrounding cannabis is raised within parliament to deal with it more efficiently.”

A spokesman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is continually working with residents to tackle drug misuse and addiction.

“We have many services including an out of hours telephone helpline which provides support at times when other services are closed.

“The HSCP is committed to ensuring our residents make informed choices about drug use and are fully aware of the dangers of drug misuse.

“Our aim is to continue to provide help, support and treatment to those already involved in drug misuse and to educate those who are not.”