Police have seized almost £50,000 worth of drugs from the streets in and around Peterhead over the last three months.
Last week it emerged that Scotland’s drug death total is higher than this time last year, despite lockdown measures confining people to their homes.
Figures obtained by the Press and Journal have revealed that officers across Buchan confiscated £46,500 worth of drugs between March 1 and June 23.
In excess of £10,500 of the substances seized were Class A, and more than £36,000 were Class B.
Officers also took away £21,000 in proceeds from the illegal trade during swoops.
As a result of the crackdown, 15 people have been arrested in relation to the supply of drugs and 75 charged with possession.
Detective Inspector Martyn Thomson said: “These arrests represent our continued commitment to tackling the issue despite lockdown restrictions, and I can reassure our communities that we will always respond to the information they provide.
“This activity clearly shows that we will not tolerate drug dealers in our communities, and neither should the people of Scotland. ”
David Liddell, chief executive of the Scottish Drugs Forum said lockdown meant that dealers were finding new ways to ply their trade.
Mr Liddell said: “This has meant that people supplying drugs may have had to operate in slightly different ways, and this may have made them more conspicuous to the police.
“For people using drugs, we hear mixed reports.
“But the overall picture is that the price and purity of drugs sold in Scotland has not changed for anything but very brief periods.”
North East Conservative MSP Peter Chapman added: “Drugs cause misery and destroy lives and I’m delighted the hard work of our police in Buchan has paid off.
“These figures send a clear message to drug dealers in Buchan that officers are not just on our streets to enforce lockdown – they are continuing to combat the sale of drugs in our communities.”
Volunteer co-chairman of the north Aberdeenshire community forum of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships, Angus McCurrach, said a recent funding windfall meant the organisation would now be more equipped to help people struggling with addiction.
He said: “We have many years of experience in working with addictions and mental health and we already offer online counselling and coaching.
“During lockdown were able to offer some free online counselling but a recent Whitehill Trust grant will allow us to provide more to the Buchan community.”
