Operation Avocation is a long-standing initiative that aims to prevent contraband from entering HMP Edinburgh where Police Scotland work closely with the Scottish Prison Service to deter and disrupt the activities of criminals, including from serious and organised crime groups, associated with inmates.
Following intelligence indicating that individuals attending HMP Edinburgh were arriving in vehicles used for criminal activity, or which were unfit for road use, approximately 85 vehicles heading for the prison were subject to road checks on Friday 24th April and Friday 1st May 2015.
This led to a 27-year-old man being arrested and charged for driving while disqualified, and a 47-year-old man arrested and charged for intent to supply controlled substances. Two men and a women aged 31, 36 and 44 were also arrested on outstanding warrants.
Six people were searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), and three men aged 19, 22 and 48 were reported to the procurator fiscal for possession of Class A and B drugs.
Four people were reported to the procurator fiscal for driving while using a mobile phone; two people were reported for driving without insurance; one person was reported for driving on a provisional license; and one person was reported for overloading a vehicle. Two vehicles were impounded; 2 people were issued with warnings for not wearing seatbelts; and one person was issued with a prohibition notice.
Inspector Bob Innes said: “This latest phase of Operation Avocation is focused on preventing contraband from entering the prison and ensuring the safety of road users in Edinburgh by detecting and intercepting those involved in criminality which are intending to enter the prison grounds.
“As a result of intelligence gathered, ourselves and partners from HMP Edinburgh conducted road checks which led to five people being arrested and 11 people reported to the procurator fiscal for drug charges and driving offences, which put other road users and members of the public at risk.”
Annette Dryburgh, Head of Operations at HMP Edinburgh, said: “HMP Edinburgh are committed and proud of our collaboration with Police Scotland in preventing and detecting crime.  We recognise that this partnership working is vital to ensure the safety of those within our establishment and the wider community.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
