Fife drug dealers are being warned that police could come knocking as efforts are ramped up to tackle substance abuse.
Police in Fife are in the midst of Operation Prospect — a campaign aimed at tackling the supply of illicit drugs and the impact of substance misuse on communities.
On Wednesday, The Courier joined officers as they carried out a drugs bust in Oakley as part of the operation.
Over the course of the day, police recovered £5,000 worth of drugs from properties across west Fife and detained five people.
The raid in Oakley saw three police vans, a marked car and an unmarked car descend on Sir George Bruce Road.
Making up the team were officers from the public order unit, a dog handler, a search team and community officers, who were acting on intelligence drugs were being supplied in the street.
Clad in protective gear, the public order officers rammed a door down to gain entry to a flat and two occupants were detained while the property was searched.
Leading Operation Prospect is Detective Chief Inspector Scott Cunningham.
Mr Cunningham said: “As part of Operation Prospect, Fife Division’s commitment to targeting drug crime, a further four search warrants were executed at addresses in Oakley, Lochgelly, Lochore and Dunfermline on Wednesday August 16.
“Six mature cannabis plants, a quantity of herbal cannabis and a small amount of methadone, with a combined estimated street value of over £5,000, were seized.
“Five people are currently in custody in connection with our ongoing inquiries.
“I’d like to thank the public for their support and reassure residents that we are committed to removing drugs from our communities and tackling associated criminality.
“Information from the public is vital in helping us to achieve this and can be passed to Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, reported anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The element of surprise is vital in carrying out drugs raids, and officers have to act quickly to ensure substances are not disposed of before they start a search.
Area commander Chief Inspector Irene Ralston said police were acting on locally gathered intelligence to tackle issues that concern communities most.
“Drugs can impact on all areas of society,” said Ms Ralston.
“In terms of drug dealing in the community, what can be particularly disturbing is people having callers, people going back and forward to houses.
“If people have real concerns in relation to what’s going on in their area, they should raise it with us or raise it with the housing team.”
