Police in South Edinburgh have made further arrests as part of the local multi-agency drugs operation – Operation Austinburg.
The iniative was launched in July this year to tackle drug-related antisocial behaviour in the Newington and Southside corridors after complaints from residents and businesses.
As well as additional patrols over the summer, joint activity has been carried out with City of Edinburgh Council and registered social landlords to carry out clean-ups, improve stair security and restrict access to areas frequented used by drug users.
As a result of a house search yesterday, officers recovered £7000 of heroin from a property in the Southside.
A 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman have now been charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Since July, three street dealers have also been arrested and officers have recovered drugs and New Psychoative Substances (NPS) from 30 offenders stopped in the area.
In addition, two knives have been recovered and several arrests have been made regarding antisocial behaviour.
Chief Inspector Mark Rennie, Area Commander for South Edinburgh said: “Yesterday saw our third disruptive house search in recent weeks and our continued activity sends a clear message out that whether you’re trying to deal drugs from a house or coming to the area to pass out drugs, our officers will be out to disrupt your activity.
“In every instance we will also look to take further action with housing providers and our partners to prevent offenders from returning to the area or attempting to deal drugs from properties in the Southside”.
Anyone with information regarding drug dealing in the area is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Further information can be obtained regarding Operation Austinburg by following @EdinSouthPolice on Twitter.
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.
