Two men and a woman have been arrested and charged after police seized almost £115,000 worth of drugs in a series of raids in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire.
The drugs, described as large quantities of cocaine, were recovered at two properties on Babylon Road and Liberty Road on Friday as part of an intelligence-led operation. Cash was also found at the Liberty Road address.
A 59-year-old man was charged in connection with drug offences. A 34-year-old man was charged in connection with alleged serious and organised crime and drug offences. A 34-year-old woman was charged in connection with serious and organised crime, drug offences and alleged proceeds of crime offences. They are due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.
Detective Inspector Thomas Carey said: "This is a significant recovery which sends a strong message that the sale and supply of illegal drugs, which cause harm and misery in our communities, will not be tolerated."
He added: "Serious and organised crime has no place in our society, and we will continue to disrupt activities while working with partner agencies to make our communities safer. Anyone with concerns or information about drugs activity or serious organised crime in their area is urged to contact us or Crimestoppers, where anonymity can be maintained."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The seizure of nearly £115,000 of cocaine disrupts local drug supply and undermines organised crime networks.
- The operation highlights ongoing police efforts to tackle serious and organised crime in North Lanarkshire.
- Potential for further intelligence and arrests as investigations continue.
Background
Bellshill is a town in North Lanarkshire, part of the greater Glasgow area. The raid was part of an intelligence-led operation targeting drug trafficking and organised crime. Police Scotland regularly conducts such operations as part of its strategy to address drug-related harm in communities.
What to Watch
- The court appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday, where charges will be formally put.
- Possible further arrests or charges as the investigation proceeds.
- Community response and any updates from police on the impact of the seizure.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThree people were charged after police seized almost £115,000 worth of drugs in Bellshill.BBC Scotland: “Three charged after drugs worth almost £115,000 seized. Three charged after drugs worth almost £115,000 seized”
- SupportedTwo men and a woman were due to appear in court after intelligence-led raids.BBC Scotland: “Two men and a woman have been arrested and charged after police seized drugs worth almost £115,000 in Bellshill. Officers recovered the drugs - described as large quantities of cocaine - at two properties on Babylon Road and Liberty Road on Friday as part of an intelligence-led operation.”
- SupportedTwo men and a woman were arrested and charged after police seized almost £115,000 worth of drugs in Bellshill.BBC Scotland: “Two men and a woman have been arrested and charged after police seized drugs worth almost £115,000 in Bellshill.”
- SupportedLarge quantities of cocaine were recovered at properties on Babylon Road and Liberty Road on Friday during an intelligence-led operation.BBC Scotland: “Officers recovered the drugs - described as large quantities of cocaine - at two properties on Babylon Road and Liberty Road on Friday as part of an intelligence-led operation.”
- SupportedCash was found at the Liberty Road address.BBC Scotland: “Cash was also found at the address on Liberty Road.”
- SupportedA 59-year-old man was charged in connection with drug offences.BBC Scotland: “Two men aged 34 and 59 and a 34-year-old woman were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences”
- SupportedA 34-year-old man was charged in connection with serious and organised crime and drug offences.BBC Scotland: “Two men aged 34 and 59 and a 34-year-old woman were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences and are due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday. The 34-year-old man and woman are also charged in connection with serious organised crime.”
- SupportedA 34-year-old woman was charged in connection with drug offences and serious and organised crime.BBC Scotland: “Two men aged 34 and 59 and a 34-year-old woman were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences and are due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday. The 34-year-old man and woman are also charged in connection with serious organised crime.”
- SupportedThe 34-year-old woman was charged in connection with alleged proceeds of crime offences.STV News: “A 34-year-old woman was also arrested and charged in connection with alleged serious and organised crime and alleged proceeds of crime offences.”
- SupportedThe three were due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.BBC Scotland: “Two men aged 34 and 59 and a 34-year-old woman were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences and are due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.”
- SupportedDetective Inspector Thomas Carey said the recovery sends a strong message that the sale and supply of illegal drugs, which cause harm and misery in communities, will not be tolerated.BBC Scotland: “Det Insp Thomas Carey said: "This is a significant recovery which sends a strong message that the sale and supply of illegal drugs, which cause harm and misery in our communities, will not be tolerated."”
- SupportedCarey said serious and organised crime has no place in society, that police would continue disrupting activities with partner agencies, and urged people with concerns or information to contact police or Crimestoppers.BBC Scotland: “"Serious and organised crime has no place in our society, and we will continue to disrupt activities while working with partner agencies to make our communities safer. "Anyone with concerns or information about drugs activity or serious organised crime in their area is urged to contact us or Crimestoppers, where anonymity can be maintained."”