CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM AS DRUGS SEIZURES IN STRATHCLYDE INCREASE

DRUGS seizures in Strathclyde have risen dramatically, with officers
in the past five months recovering four times as much heroin and three
times as much cocaine as in the same period last year.

The Scotsman has learned that, between April and August this year,
Strathclyde Police seized 108,000 grams of heroin and 11,250 grams of
cocaine compared with the removal of 21,800 grams of heroin and 3,800
grams of cocaine in the corresponding period last year.

Senior police officers and support agencies yesterday said they were
"cautiously optimistic" that new working practices introduced earlier
this year were having a significant impact on the drugs trade in
Glasgow and outlying areas.

However, they warned that a bumper crop of heroin recently harvested
in Afghanistan is heading for Scotland.

Detective Chief Inspector Willie Wilson said: "We're cautiously
optimistic that we're seeing a significant change."

DCI Wilson said that drug squad operations were now led by senior
officers providing a "sharper focus" for intelligence-led
investigations.

Strathclyde Police has also widened its scope, working with partners
including the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) and customs
officials, to target those at the top of the supply chain.

DCI Wilson added: "The major players have perhaps in the past gone
without being arrested. We're now trying to tackle them through the
proceeds of crime legislation. I can't go into details, but we have
arrested some of the principal players and it is having a positive
impact."

Jim Doherty, of the Gallowgate Drug Prevention and Family Support
Group in Parkhead, welcomed the increase in drug seizures.

However, he added: "It is a worrying time, because despite the
seizures - which are very positive - there has been no dry-up of
heroin or cocaine at street level. This is the problem. It doesn't
matter the number of seizures, it's still abundant
everywhere."

Mr Doherty said dealers were "being hurt" by the new powers to seize
their assets.

Graeme Pearson, the SDEA director, said the increase in seizures
reflected increased investment in nationwide intelligence-gathering
systems.