Police Operation uncovers Lanarkshire drug dealers

Nov 5 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE cracking down on drug dealing in Lanarkshire last week raided homes in Hamilton, Larkhall, Blantyre and Lesmahagow.

Officers found suspected heroin, cannabis resin, controlled drugs and two cannabis factories when they swooped last Friday as part of “Operation Agree”.

Three people appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday in connection with drugs-related offences.

Police said that enquiries are continuing with six others who were arrested.

Steven Craw (39), of Larkhall, appeared on petition at the court on Monday.

He was charged with supplying drugs.

Craw made no plea or declaration.

He was given bail pending further police enquiries.

Anthony Ferguson (35), of Hillhouse, pleaded not guilty to four charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act, one of which includes the supply of drugs, when he appeared from custody on Monday.

He was given bail.

Robert Robertson, of Hillhouse, appeared in the court on petition.

The 42-year-old was charged with supplying drugs.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

Robertson is expected to make a second appearance in court on Monday, November 9.

And a 36-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in Hamilton in connection with an incident on Friday, October 30.

The report is currently under the consideration of the Procurator Fiscal.

Police began their one-day crackdown after four weeks of intelligence gathering and proactive work to identify those in the community who were documented as being involved in drug dealing and serious and organised crime.

A four-figure sum of cash was also seized and assets for potential future forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime Act were also identified.

Police said a total of 19 people were searched during the one-day blitz.

Officers from the proactive crime team helped to carry out the action plan, assisted by officers from the local community policing teams and specialist officers.

It was part of the force’s “Break the Circle of Violence” campaign, targeting serious and organised crime.

On the one day a number of people were charged with drugs possession and supplying charges:

l A man in Larkhall was arrested for numerous drugs offences

l A woman in Blantyre was arrested for numerous drugs offences

l Four Hamilton men were arrested for numerous drugs offences.

l A man in Lesmahagow was arrested for drugs offences.

Police plan similar crackdowns in the near future.

Detective chief inspector Neil Thomson, head of South Lanarkshire CID, said: “This operation is part of an ongoing campaign against serious organised crime at all levels.

“Those people who are involved in organised crime cause serious harm to communities.

“We are committed to challenging this.

“I am confident that through the continuous support of the community that we can detect and disrupt further offending.”

Anyone with information about crimes in their areas should contact the police directly on 01698 483300, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where calls are free and anonmyity can be maintained.

In January this year, police arrested 75 people in one of the biggest ever one-day crackdowns in the Hamilton area.