Chief Constable Jo Farrell today, Thursday, 24 September, praised partners and officers who supported the largest and most co-ordinated human trafficking operation in Scotland.
During a public meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board in Glasgow, Chief Constable Farrell thanked those involved in deployments which led to 36 arrests and the discovery of cannabis farms with an estimated value of around £3m.
She said: “Over the last 36 hours, around 300 officers have been carrying out co-ordinated intelligence led enforcement action targeting those suspected of being involved in human trafficking and exploitation.
“We deployed simultaneously yesterday across a number of towns and cities across the country, targeting a number of addresses. We’ve made to date 36 arrests, seized 14 cannabis farms and number of pieces of evidence – digital devices, cash and identity documents which have all been recovered and will be examined.
“Alongside the enforcement that has been carried out we worked with Justice and Care who are a third sector agency that support victims of exploitation and trafficking. Their collective focus with Police Scotland is in relation to safeguarding vulnerable people.
“The action that has been taken is the biggest and most coordinated human trafficking operation Police Scotland has ever had. It followed close joint working by our Human Trafficking Unit and with partners including the Home Office, National Crime Agency and HMRC, supported by local policing officers and Operational Support Division, among others, and in close consultation with colleagues at the Crown.
“This was a carefully planned and important operation to disrupt and tackle an international concern which impacts communities right across Scotland.
“Criminal justice proceedings are now active, and we will continue to work with Crown colleagues and others in relation to this important area. I will just finish that section by thanking Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah Taylor, and Superintendent Stevie Bertram and all our teams and partners who played their parts in this significant operation.”
