Cops mount drugs raid on Ayrshire village

Oct 8 2010 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SIXTY police officers descended on an Ayrshire village in a bid to crush a suspected drugs ring.

A convoy of 20 cars and vans rolled into the village shortly after dawn on Wednesday to raid seven houses and conduct a painstaking search of a nearby woodland.

Operation Gelid was a direct result of years of intelligence gathering and detailed investigations by a team of detectives.

Armed with Sheriffs’ warrants, teams of police officers used battering rams to force their way into the houses across Patna.

Four men were arrested as a direct result and a dealer quantity of heroin was seized.

A number of vehicles, including quad bikes, were also taken into police custody.

They will be examined by a police forensic team for evidence that they may have been used to transport drugs.

The man in charge of the operation insists that the early morning strike will make a significant impact in battle against drugs.

Detective Inspector John Hogg explained that it can take months, if not years, to build up a clear picture and gather enough evidence before securing the necessary warrants to mount this kind of operation.

He said: “This has been a long term operation, based on intelligence gathered over years.

“It has been a very painstaking operation using information gathered from a variety of sources.”

Police dogs joined Strathclyde Police’s specialist support unit in carrying out a meticulous search of the woods on the outskirts of the village.

The job took hours and officers were eventually stood down when darkness fell.

DI Hogg revealed that their efforts did pay off, adding: “Intelligence led us to identify certain areas of the woods.

“These areas were searched by officers with the support of the dog unit and we did recover items of significance.”

According to DI Hogg the raid will send a out a stern message to those who dabble in the drugs trade.

And he insists that it will also stand as a reminder to the community that police will do all they can to protect them from criminal activity.

He explained: “Those involved in serious organised crime live next door to decent law abiding people.

“These are the types of individuals who seem to have the best of everything, but no obvious means of income.

“Ayrshire division’s commitment to disrupt serious organised crime within communities and to pursue those engaged in this kind of activity.”

Four men have been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the raid.