The top police officer in Angus has underlined his determination to tackle the “reprehensible” sale of legal highs in the county.
Area commander Chief Inspector Gordon Milne’s comments came as he confirmed the seizure of thousands of pounds from the owner of an Arbroath legal high shop.
Police officers seized a total of £2,686.91 from Liston Pacitti, 25, owner of a legal highs shop in Arbroath and another in Perth, under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
While selling legal highs is not technically illegal, the seizure went uncontested and the money was forfeited by the courts.
It is understood the cash was seized during a search of Pacitti’s car, while officers were issuing him with a fixed penalty ticket for a traffic offence outside the shop in Brothock Bridge.
Mr Milne said: “The money involved in this case was seized by police officers in Angus as part of our ongoing Operation Carinate and we are absolutely delighted with the outcome.
“Operation Carinate is our local response to the trafficking, distribution and consumption of new psychoactive substances, commonly referred to as legal highs.
“I remain convinced that the supply of these substances from shops in our towns and in ways which entice young and vulnerable people to experiment and consume these substances is morally reprehensible and should be stopped.”
“Using statutory powers contained in the POCA 2002 has been hugely successful in this instance and, while demonstrating our innovation and ingenuity to tackle issues in different ways, also sets a very significant and positive precedent for more work to be undertaken in this regard.”
In their report to the police and fire and rescue sub-committee last month, Tayside division reported POCA seizures in excess of £2.5 million between April and September this year. This was a 173% increase compared to the same six-month period in 2013.
The report also recognised there had been a shift from the use of recreational drugs, such as cannabis and cocaine, to new psycho-active substances, particularly by young people.