Call for drug dealers’ assets to be seized

May 21 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A LANARKSHIRE MSP has called for a ‘zero tolerance’ approach following the release of statistics which show that drug crime has more than doubled in the Hamilton area since 2003.

Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell had asked the Scottish Government, in a written question, for statistics on the amount of recorded convictions for each Scottish Sheriff Court.

She said this week that it was time to go after the most serious drug dealers by seizing their assets.

Figures for Hamilton Sheriff Court show that there were 55 convictions for ‘trafficking’ in the year 2003-04 and 124 in the year 2007-2008.

The offences include possession, manufacture or cultivation of illegal drugs and supply, and possession with intent to supply illegal drugs.

Mrs Mitchell said this week: “Action must be taken to address this increase nationally and to deal with the worrying 124 incidents of trafficking being carried out in the Hamilton area in 2007/2008.

“We must make it absolutely clear that fiscal fines and other direct measures are inappropriate for drug crime of any kind.

“It is time to go after the most serious drug dealers and traffickers by seizing all their assets.

“Those convicted of drug dealing and trafficking should then have to demonstrate that the money by which they have funded lavish lifestyles was not obtained as a result of their criminality.

“In other words the onus should be on them to prove that their assets were not obtained illegally, rather than this having to be proved by the Crown.”

South Lanarkshire divisional commander, chief superintendent Tim Love, said the increase in convictions illustrated the success of the 2007 crackdown Operation Robust, which had been the biggest ever drugs operation carried out in South Lanarkshire.

It resulted, he added, in the arrests of 38 alleged drug dealers in June 2007 and further arrests occurred over the following months.

Mr Love pointed out: “It was also of significance that the evidence was such that no witnesses were required to give evidence and those responsible received a combined total of over 22 years in jail.

“A main part of the successof Operation Robust was theintelligence provided by local people.

“We continue to actively pursue those who cause absolute misery through drug dealing and while I do not underestimate the impact our operations have, and will continue to have in South Lanarkshire, I am encouraged more by the multi-agency approach taken by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership to tackle the harm caused by drugs and alcohol.

“All partners involved in the scheme seek to reduce the harm to local communities, individuals and their families.”