AN ESTIMATED £8.5 million worth of cannabis plants have been seized by police in Scotland since the start of 2024.

Police Scotland said it was sending a “clear message to criminals that drugs have no place in any of our communities” as a result of the seizures.

In January alone so far, officers have intercepted various quantities of the Class B drug with an estimated street value of £8,624,000.

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This month’s activity took place across Scotland, including two seven-figure seizures, with cannabis worth £3.6 million recovered in Greenock and a further quantity worth £2.25 million recovered in Dundee.

Arrests have been made in relation to the majority of the seizures and enquiries are ongoing into the remaining incidents.

Detective Superintendent Craig Willison, from Police Scotland’s organised crime and counter terrorism unit, said: “This year we have already seen some very significant recoveries across the country, which demonstrates that no community is safe from the harm caused by illegal drugs.

“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, and our officers are determined to protect members of the public from this type of criminality.

“Anyone who brings drugs into our communities for their own illicit gain should be in absolutely no doubt that we will rigorously pursue every means possible to disrupt this activity – we will find you and bring you to justice.

“Information and support from members of the public is vital to our work and I would encourage anyone with concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”