Drugs operation nets 'dealers'

Jamie Borthwick • Published 10 Aug 2010 16:00

A SERIES of raids on homes identified as having links to drugs and dealing were carried out, in a huge operation across the area.

Some 150 officers were drafted to West Dunbartonshire for a 19-hour crackdown on criminals, during ‘Operation Fleet’.

Results included nine people being reported for supply or possession of drugs and one person having £1,200 of assets seized in relation to proceeds of crime legislation.

The Reporter joined the area’s top officers for parts of the operation - which took place from 7am on Friday until 2am on Saturday - and saw first hand the arm of the law coming down on those identified as being involved in illegal activity.

At a briefing at the Operation Fleet nerve-centre - Dumbarton FC’s Strathclyde Homes Stadium - at 10.15am, plain clothed cops, support officers in heavy duty uniform for breaking through doors, and officers from the police dog unit, were told of the target, which was identified after information was passed to the police from within the community.

The Reporter then joined the convoy of unmarked police cars and marked vans through Dumbarton and up in the direction of Bonhill.

We were informed that a woman was being targeted in this raid, and when we arrived at the street - Pappert, in Bonhill - a dozen police were already getting into position, with around five watching the rear of the building, and seven to the front.

After a shout to open up, the door was broken in at 10.48am and the team flooded inside to execute their search warrant.

At 11.20am a woman was led out the house in cuffs and taken away in an unmarked car.

Chief Inspector Ian Wallace, who led the operation, praised residents for tipping off the cops about possible dealers.

He said: “Community intelligence is the only way we can operate - without that vital link we would not be doing this.

“We are always looking for more intelligence from the community, so our message is - if you see any suspicious activity, then let us know.

“Operation Fleet was a great success for the police and will have a wider impact on the illegal drug trade across the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven area.”

As a result of the raid, a 45-year-old woman will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal for allegedly possessing cannabis.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 10 Aug 10

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