Police seize £16k worth of drugs as they shut down Falkirk rave
One man arrested as chief inspector slams threat to health
A man has been charged in connection with organising an illegal rave at a derelict farm.
Police were sent to the site at Slamannan, Falkirk, on Saturday night after being told people were gathering there.
Officers believe up to 200 people were due to attend but it was quickly disrupted'' and did not go ahead.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with culpable and reckless conduct in connection with the event.
Officers recovered around £16,000 worth of drugs from the site, which they believed were to be sold at the rave.
Falkirk is subject to Level 3 of the Scottish Government's five-tier coronavirus restriction system, meaning adults meeting in public indoors or outdoors to socialise are limited to a maximum of six from two households, with home visits banned.
Chief Inspector Chris Stewart, local area commander for Falkirk, said events of this type are a risk to public health''.
He said: We received information that a large number of people were being dropped off at the location and starting to gather.
Officers were in attendance quickly and established that a number of people were there for an organised 'rave'.
Through our inquiries it is understood that up to 200 people were due to attend, however due to the intervention by officers it was quickly disrupted and did not take place.
Those in attendance were dispersed and left the area without any issues.''
Mr Stewart said the man charged would be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and inquiries are ongoing.
"Officers also recovered approximately #16,000 worth of drugs from the site, our assessment is that these drugs would have been sold at the event,'' he said.
"We will continue to use enforcement action where it is necessary to disperse large groups of people and to protect the public.
"The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.''