Police chiefs have hailed a crack-down on the major English drugs gangs causing misery to north-east communities.
Operating under a sophisticated system called county lines, criminals predominantly from the Merseyside area are exploiting vulnerable people to use their homes as bases in the region as part of their empire.
And in November, Scotland’s top cop identified the north-east as the country’s capital for metropolitan gangs smuggling drugs.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone revealed there are 22 known county lines gangs operating nationwide and that the north-east is the “most impacted” region in Scotland.
Aberdeenshire, and especially towns like Fraserburgh, have been targeted by the gangsters who have often forced out or co-opted local criminals.
Merseyside Police has been working closely with police in Scotland to crack down on those who exploit and blackmail vulnerable people to sell or carry drugs.
During a week of concerted action against county lines activity, following extensive investigations, police arrested six men and two women – three men and one woman in Aberdeen, one woman and one man in Fraserburgh and two men in Dundee.
A total of 18 cuckooed addresses were visited, one vulnerable adult was identified and a bladed weapon recovered.
Officers also seized cash totalling £2,560 and recovered drugs with a street value of around £31,180.
They have, however, warned the public to remain vigilant for the signs of cthe drugs trade in their midst.
A police spokesman said: “County lines, as it is now referred to, is not anything new.
“Organised crime groups have been targeting minors to maximise their drug dealing for years.
“Pro-actively targeting criminals who exploit young and vulnerable people and import drugs into our communities, for their own illicit and illegal gain, remains a priority for our officers.
“We have identified over 20 county lines dealing primarily in class A drugs and continue to work with a wide range of partners to identify and safeguard individuals who may have been intimidated or coerced.
“The public also has a part to play and I would encourage anyone who believes an individual or property within their community may be being exploited for criminal purposes to contact Police Scotland or provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers.
“Scotland is predominantly an importer of county lines with the north-east of the country being most significantly impacted by this activity, with the largest single exporting area into Scotland being Merseyside.”
