Drug raid seizures to help Africa

Criminals often set up cannabis farms in residential areas

Equipment seized during police raids on illegal cannabis farms is to be sent to Africa, where it will be used to help grow vegetables instead.

Strathclyde Police found compost, lights and fans worth more than £200,000 during the Operation League crackdown on cannabis growers.

The equipment has been donated to a charity which will distribute it to farmers in Central Africa.

Lights and fans will also be given to hospitals caring for Aids patients.

The donations will be made by the Glasgow the Caring City charity. It will be the first time that the proceeds of crime have been used in such a way.

It is heartening that the items seized from Operation League will be used for such a good cause Det Ch Supt Stephen Whitelock Strathclyde Police

Chief executive of the charity, Rev Neil Galbraith, said: "Having researched fully how best we can use this donation from Strathclyde Police, not one item will go to waste.

"Many developing communities will benefit from this long term donation and the charity's insight and knowledge of development and partnership.

"This is not recycling, this is regeneration and resurrection, from bad to good. I can think of no better use for the items being passed on."

Rev Galbraith said the equipment would be a "godsend" to people in villages like Kaponda in Malawi.

He added that the fans and lights would dramatically improve the quality of life for Aids patients.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Whitelock, director of intelligence at Strathclyde Police, said: "This is a new direction for the force and the first time that the proceeds of crime have been used in such a beneficial way.

"It is heartening that the items seized from Operation League will be used for such a good cause.

"Instead of criminals cultivating drugs for illegal purposes, the people of Africa will be able to use the equipment to cultivate vegetables and crops, essential for their survival."