DRUG SUSPECT AND THE DRIVE-IN POLICE HQ

A SUSPECTED drug dealer drove his camper-van into the front entrance of the
Lothian and Borders Police headquarters after discovering a police bugging
device in his vehicle.

The man was believed to have been under surveillance by a team of
detectives when he discovered the electronic tracker hidden in his van. The
35-year-old then drove his Volkswagen Caravelle to the police headquarters
at Fettes where he rammed it through the main entrance.

The incident, which happened around 10pm on Thursday night, caused
thousands of pounds worth of damage and destroyed the glass doors at the
headquarters.

It later emerged that the man, from west Edinburgh, was being watched by
officers from the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.

A police officer, who asked not to be named, said: "He came across this
device and put two and two together and went mental. He drove right up our
front drive and didn't even have the courtesy to ring the bell.

"Apparently he was ranting and raving that if we wanted him, here he was.
But the poor security guards didn't know what he was talking about and they
were a bit shocked. The brown stuff will hit the fan over this one and the
drug enforcement boys have been left looking like a bunch of chumps."

Before the security guards could do anything, the man jumped back in the
camper-van and drove off before abandoning the vehicle nearby. Police are
still looking for him.

The policeman added: "The poor security guards were still shocked at what
had happened and just looked at the guy in amazement. He then jumped in the
driver's seat and made off. The whole episode is causing much hilarity but
at the same time someone could have been badly hurt."

Last night, a police spokesman refused to discuss the incident. He said:
"We do not comment on operational matters. No-one was injured during the
incident and a positive line of inquiry is being pursued to trace the driver."

But the force stressed security at the building was an important factor. He
added: "We are constantly reappraising the security of the building but
have to strike a balance between accessibility and security. The vehicle
only managed to smash the front glass and did not penetrate the building."