Nine arrests in blitz on dealers

Officers carried out early morning raids at the homes of drug dealers

Nine people have been arrested in raids in South Lanarkshire targeting those suspected of being involved in drug-dealing and organised crime.

Officers raided addresses in Hamilton, Larkhall, Blantyre and Lesmahagow as part of Operation Agree.

Heroin, cannabis resin and other controlled drugs were seized and two cannabis farms were uncovered.

Cash was also seized and further assets for potential restraint under the Proceeds of Crime Act were identified.

In the day of action, which took place on Friday, Strathclyde police officers arrested a total of nine people and searched 19 individuals.

The operation was the culmination of a four-week period of intelligence gathering and proactive work to identify those in the community who were documented as being involved in drug-dealing and serious and organised crime.

Harm communities

Det Ch Insp Neil Thomson said: "This operation is part of an ongoing campaign against serious organised crime at all levels.

"Those people who are involved in organised crime cause serious harm to communities. We are committed to challenging this."

He added: "I am confident that through the continuous support of the community that we can detect and disrupt further offending."