Cross-border drugs route targeted

By Giancarlo Rinaldi
BBC Scotland news website, south of Scotland reporter

The motorway covers about 35 miles in Dumfries and Galloway

Drug seizures on the only major stretch of motorway in south west Scotland have totalled more than £1m in less than three years.

Intelligence-led operations and routine checks have produced the haul on the A74(M) in Dumfries and Galloway.

Police said the route represented one of the main drugs links between cities in Scotland and England.

They added the results showed their commitment to stop illegal substances being couriered through the region.

The A74(M) motorway stretches for about 35 miles across Dumfries and Galloway from south of Gretna to just north of Moffat.

It is a force priority to target drugs dealers and take their assets off them Det Insp Colin McColm

Scotland's smallest police force has produced a string of significant drugs hauls along the route in recent times.

Cannabis, cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy have all been seized.

Acting Det Insp Colin McColm said there were a number of reasons for police success on that carriageway.

"The main reason is that it is the major route between Scotland and England," he said.

"There is a high volume of traffic travelling on the road.

A74(M) DRUGS SEIZURES £300,000 cannabis - November 2006 £250,000 heroin and cocaine - May 2005 £150,000 cannabis - May 2007 £100,000 amphetamine - November 2006 £75,000 ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis - January 2008 £60,000 cannabis - January 2008 £50,000 cocaine - March 2006 £31,000 cannabis - July 2006

"It is a mix between intelligence-led policing and also the routine stops by our mobile support group."

Traffic police have been asked to pay particular attention for any indication that a car may be carrying drugs.

That can range from suspicious behaviour or, more simply, the distinctive aroma of herbal cannabis.

Det Insp McColm said that such awareness produced results which could be felt right across the country.

"It is primarily travelling crimes that we are dealing with, from Glasgow, to Manchester to Liverpool," he said.

"But we can't be too naive and think they might not have an involvement in our force area as well."

The police also recognise that for all the drugs they are discovering, plenty more will be slipping through the net.

"These people are quite ingenious," said substance misuse officer Pc Scott Jardine.

"They think over what they are doing - they are constantly testing our resources and abilities."

However, police hope high-profile seizures will deter anyone from thinking Dumfries and Galloway is an easy area to ferry drugs through.

"It is a force priority to target drugs dealers and take their assets off them," said Det Insp McColm.

"It is always good to see that we are getting results.

"It is encouraging that we are taking these drugs off the street."