Crime fighters disrupt organised crime

The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) has disrupted the activities of more serious organised crime groups than ever before as a result of a range of new tactics used in the last year.

The SCDEA disrupted serious organised crime groups on 109 occasions, twice as many as last year, with 42 classed as high level resulting in the most significant impact to the criminals and their groups.

The figure is highlighted as part of the SCDEA’s annual report for 2011-12. Other key figures from the report include:

• 194 criminals arrested, including 75 of the most harmful and dangerous criminals;
• criminals sentenced to a combined total of 170 years imprisonment as a result of SCDEA investigations;
• 0ver 782 kilograms of illegal drugs seized, with an estimated street value of £18.45 million;
• 328 kilograms of adulterants seized - 50 % more than last year. These are the chemicals used to bulk out drugs and maximise profits;
• £5.2 million worth of criminal assets identified for restraint;
• over £1 million hard cash seized from criminals.