A further nine people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation to tackle drug crime in West Lothian.
Officers carried out Operation Newbury enforcement activity on Wednesday 21st February, where they executed 11 search warrants at address in Fauldhouse, Armadale, Bathgate and Mid Calder.
As a result of these searches a quantity of Cocaine, Heroin, Amphetamines and Cannabis were recovered
Seven men aged between 21 and 53 and two woman aged 27 and 52 were charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act
Operation Newbury has now been underway for three weeks and has previously resulted in drugs such as heroin and cannabis being seized, including the recovery of a cannabis cultivation worth £50,000.
Warrants were executed at 17 addresses in Livingston, Whitburn, Bathgate and Kirknewton on Friday 16th February and saw eight men and four women charged.
All of those arrested during the enforcement activity have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Inspector Paul Batten said: “This continued enforcement targets those involved in drugs, violence and the associated anti-social behaviour that impacts our local community.
“The public have made it clear they will not tolerate drug crime in their areas and through the information they provide us with we are able to carry out successful operations such as this to remove offenders from our streets.
“I would urge anyone wishing to report ongoing crime in their area to do so by contacting us via 101 or by making an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Chief Inspector Liz Macleod, Local Area Commander for West Lothian, said: “Operation Newbury should send a clear message to communities across West Lothian that tackling the misuse of drugs and their distribution is one of our top priorities.
“We will not tolerate drug crime and associated offences and will continue to address any concerns raised to us.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
