A man has been jailed for drug offences as part of a Lothian and Borders Police operation to target serious organised crime.
Mohammed Riaz, was arrested in November 2011 following Operation Xylem – a year-long intelligence gathering enquiry into money laundering and drug dealing.
During their enquiries, officers recovered two kilos of heroin with an estimated value of £200,000 from drug dealers operating within Edinburgh and West Lothian. Further investigation linked Riaz to the distribution of these drugs and he was subsequently charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The 41-year-old previously pled guilty and was sentenced to serve seven years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh today.
Riaz will later be sentenced along with 44-year-old Graeme Davidson for money laundering and fraud offences, which were also detected during the Operation Xylem enquiries.
Detective Inspector Jimmy Gilchrist who led the investigation said: “Those who profit from serious and organised are a blight on our communities and Lothian and Borders Police are committed to working alongside the public and our partner agencies to identify these individuals and bring them to justice.
“A detailed and complex investigation into Mohammed Riaz and his associates was undertaken by the Force and the intelligence we gathered ensured that large quantities of Class A drugs were seized before they could be distributed.
“Detectives built a significant body of evidence against Riaz to secure guilty verdicts for all of the offences detected as part of Operation Xylem and he is set to spend a lengthy period of time behind bars.
“Intelligence is vital in combating serious and organised crime and anyone with information relating to ongoing criminal activity within their community should contact their local policing team, or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in complete anonymity.”
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