No change after Dalkeith drugs bust

Fast approaching a month after Lothian and Borders Police's sting operation on one of the major drug dealers in Dalkeith, local residents of the area have dismissed claims that the city's drug ring is now on its knees.

Despite reports in local media reporting the large scale of police operations in the area, it appears that this view has been exaggerated, with drugs still available for those seeking them.

Speaking to The Journal, one resident of the area said: “From the end of September [when the operation took place] neither I nor any of my friends have noticed any strange behaviour or problems down the street. Perhaps that’s because there are other “goods” on the market.”

He added: “I have to say that after the operation I was so scared and concerned about the possible reactions of the addicts. I thought that the lack of illegal drugs could lead them to violence, antisocial behaviour and more crimes. But, luckily for me and my family, I was definitely wrong”.

Terry Powell, Chief Superintendent of Lothian and Borders police, had previously claimed that the sting would have a large effect on the local community. He said “It’s one of the largest and most complex operations that the force has ever undertaken. I am sure that as a result of this two-day operation, the residents of a number of areas of Midlothian will see a big difference in their quality of life.”

“We co-ordinated with health services to ensure they were ready for an increase in people seeking methadone prescriptions. They could be either those who take methadone on top of heroin, or heroin addicts seeking to replace the illegal drugs”.

However, in the past few weeks CS Powell’s prediction seem to have come to little. According to anecdotal reports from pharmacists in the area, there has not been any significant increase in methadone requests. One pharmacist, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The situation is absolutely normal. Nothing has changed.”

“I don’t know what the police had expected after the action, but here we haven’t seen any difference compared to the past. Nor down the street, I have to say, I haven’t seen any relevant change in the behaviour of our inhabitants”.