Millions of pounds have been seized from drug kingpins in Tayside in the last year.
Police have confiscated £2.5 million in illegally gained cash in a major blow to organised criminals.
In the last financial year, officers have also cut off £1.4 million worth of access to legal business from criminals seeking to legitimise their activities.
Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith said the seizures “hit criminals right where it hurt”.
Much of the money was seized using special legislation designed to target organised crime.
Mr Smith said: “Local officers supported by national resources continue to look for every opportunity to target crime groups in the Dundee area.
“These groups will seize every opportunity to maximise financial gain from there criminal acts, ranging from dealing in controlled drugs, bogus workmen and other crimes and offences linked to money laundering.
“Proceeds of Crime Act legislation, as well as other intervention tactics are used to good effect in depriving these criminals of their assets gained through criminal activities.”
Mr Smith said Tayside Division is not neglecting street-level dealers.
He said: “Since January 2015, 28 drug search warrants have been executed in Dundee resulting in the arrest of 18 offenders and the recovery of drugs worth approximately £4,645.
“It is recognised that more needs to be done to undermine the climate of violence surrounding substance abuse.
“Working with our partners, including the Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership, a focus will be on reducing substance abuse, drug related deaths and the impact it has on health as well as an increased emphasis on intelligence gathering and proactive operations in relation to misuse of drugs offences.”
Tackling so-called legal highs, or New Psychoaticve Substances (NPS), also remains a priority, Mr Smith said.
“Dealing with those involved in the sale, supply and use of NPS has been challenging owing to the lack of power afforded to law enforcement agencies in tackling this issue.
“Five compounds commonly used in NPS were listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act in March 2015.
“This allows officers to deal even more robustly with recoveries, charging and reporting offences where identified.”
Detective Superintendent Colin Gall, Specialist Crime Division, Tayside, said: “We would like to thank the public for providing information regarding drug related crime which helps in taking positive action and we’ll continue to work with them, our partner agencies and elected members to make sure that drug dealers are not only brought to justice but that they’re hit where it most hurts in their pockets.”