A MAN has been arrested in Dumbarton as part of an investigation into members of a suspected criminal group accused of trafficking and producing drugs worth millions of pounds.

The 47-year-old man was arrested in the town's Garshake Terrace on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to supply heroin.

The man is among eight people arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) with support from local police forces.

Six more men were arrested at addresses across Merseyside, and an eighth was produced from prison.

Officers say they believe the group was planning to produce large quantities of amphetamine at a location in Scotland, as well as trafficking heroin from Scotland to Merseyside.

The group, aged between 34 and 66, remain in custody.

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The arrests were made as part of an NCA investigation linked to Operation Venetic.

Analysis of messages acquired as part of the operation – an investigation into the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat – supported the investigation.

As part of the same investigation, more than 620 kilograms of APAA – a substance used in the manufacture of amphetamine – was seized and two men were arrested after arriving on a flight from Turkey.

Both were later released under investigation.

Ian McConnell, NCA operations manager, said: “Producing amphetamine on an industrial scale would have devastating consequences for the community - drug trafficking thrives on inciting violence, spreading fear and exploiting vulnerable children and adults for criminal gain.

“Today’s action has led to the arrest of eight suspected members of an organised crime group and will continue to target those at the top of the drug market chain, to make their businesses unviable and keep people safe.”

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