Highland hotel swoop sees police net cannabis worth more than £750,000
Police Scotland officers swooped on the Highlander Hotel in Buckie, Banffshire, on Sunday evening, netting cannabis with an estimated street value of £753,000.
Following the ‘intelligence-led’ operation, two men aged 27 and 34 have been charged and are due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court today in connection with the raid. Both face drug-related allegations.
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Hide AdIt is understood that the seizure was mainly cannabis plants which are believed to have been being grown indoors under special lights with ventilation and irrigation systems installed.
Police officers who conducted the raid and subsequent search were still at the property on Monday afternoon, with a heavy presence outside the building, which was cordoned off to keep the public at a distance.
Detective Sergeant Scott McKay, of Aberdeen CID, said: "This enforcement action was carried out after receiving intelligence of a cannabis cultivation in the area and resulted in a significant seizure of the drug.
"We remain committed to disrupting the illegal supply of drugs in our communities and we will use every tool and tactic at our disposal to remove them from our streets.
"But we can't tackle this criminal behaviour alone. The public continue to play a vital role in assisting investigations into drug crime and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns about drug-related activity, or has any information about those involved in drugs, to contact police on 101 or make an anonymous report to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”