North police have sent out a strong message to drug dealers that they are not welcome in the Highlands and islands.
It follows a series of raids in the Inverness and Liverpool areas earlier in the week during which heroin and cannabis with an approximate value of £50,000 was recovered.
The raids are part of an ongoing joint operation by Police and Scotland and officers in Merseyside against a group from the north of England involved in organised crime.
Similar raids were made before Christmas which resulted in the recovery of £180,000 from the Inverness and Elgin areas.
Detective Inspector William Nimmo of the Highlands and Islands division said: “This recent activity serves as another example of our commitment to tackle the supply of drugs to the Highlands and Islands and to target those we suspect to be involved in the supply chain.
“This hopefully communicates a clear message that whoever you are and wherever you are from, we will continue to proactively target anyone suspected of being involved in the supply of controlled drugs into the Highlands.
“We would also take this opportunity to remind people that information from local communities is absolutely essential to a successful investigation such as this; to disrupt the supply of drugs and arrest those responsible for causing untold harm.
“In an effort to reduce the harm these substances cause, we will continue to work closely with local communities and our partner agencies.”
The latest raids follow several months of investigation work by officers across the north of Scotland and on Merseyside.
DI Nimmo urged anyone with information which could help the police to make contact.
He added: “The drug trade often exploits the most vulnerable members of society so we all have an obligation to help protect each other by reporting any suspicious or harmful behaviour that may be happening in local areas.
“If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of controlled drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A man appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday in connection with alleged involvement in the supply of drugs.
Thomas Mackay, 30, from Liverpool made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.
A second man is expected to appear next week.
