Police city raids uncover serious crime network

Lothian and Borders Police have allegedly cracked a large-scale organised crime network following a number of raids across the city.

Police targeted a total of 18 houses as part of an ongoing operation aimed at reducing organised crime activity throughout Edinburgh.

Operation Deliver is, according to police officials, part of a new intensive strategy using innovative investigation techniques to target such activity, and to eliminate crime groups throughout the capital. Over 100 officers from CID, A-division and specialist support units were involved in the raids.

Detective Superintendent David Bullen, leading the investigation, said: "The results achieved follow an extensive investigation where we have sought to make maximum use of all available intelligence and evidence and build a case around the criminal activities of this group.

“They have allegedly been involved in the distribution of significant weights of cocaine from which they have derived substantial criminal profits. We will continue to investigate with a view to obtaining further evidence and recovering assets or profits linked to this group.”

The raids targeted the Bingham area in the early morning of Wednesday 11 February, and further searches were conducted the next day. Following the raids, 14 individuals were detained, 11 appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court the following day. A number of further individuals appeared in court later in the week.

Operation Deliver is a large scale operation that follows a year of intelligence and research based activity. Over the course of the scheme, in excess of £200,000 worth of cocaine and ecstasy have been recovered, along with an around £16,000 in cash.

The evidence obtained so far will lead to a number of drug and money laundering charges being made, and further investigation will be made to secure additional evidence or identify further assets linked to this crime group.

Superintendent Bullen confirmed that the operation was not a one off response to the criminal activity, and the public should be well aware that the scheme was part of an on going investigation aimed at eliminating organised crime, on a long term basis, within the city. He said: "Lothian and Borders Police is committed to tackling those organised criminals who pose a serious threat to our communities.

"These serious and organised crime groups use intimidation and violence to support their criminal activities and it is vital that the police continue to use all available methods to disrupt those activities.

"I am satisfied that today's operation had made a significant inroad into a crime group operating at a significant level in our force area.”