Weeding out the dealers: Police Scotland's new Area Commander speaks to us following dismantling of three cannabis farms in two months
Last updated 6th Dec 2023
Police have vowed to continue to target drug dealers in the Scottish Borders.
It follows the success of recent raids on cannabis farms in Selkirk, Galashiels and Hawick.
Chief Inspector Stuart Fletcher (pictured above) is the region's new local Area Commander. He told Greatest Hits Radio: "In terms of the size of the properties, and the size of the cultivations, we're seeing an increase in sophistication, and that's borne out by the values.
"But again the promise and the commitment we make to local communities is if people tell us about these issues, and they report that to us, we will take action."
He added: "Issues around County Lines-type dealing has been well documented in the past, and the reassurance I would give you is we do have resources to tackle those issues in the Borders, and the results that you've seen indicate just what priority we're putting into that."
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The huge haul of cannabis plants seized from the former Forest Mill in Selkirk was given an estimated street value of up to £1.2m, and is believed to be the largest ever unearthed in the Scottish Borders.
It cames just week after another cultivation, believed to be worth around £500,000, was unearthed just six miles away at the former Warehouse nightclub in Overhaugh Street, Galashiels.
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Chief Inspector Fletcher said: "What we're dealing with here now is cannabis cultivations being placed in derelict buildings, usually within towns, and occasionally farm buildings that might be located in rural, more remote, areas.
"But our advice remains the same: If people see anything around derelict buildings in towns that they feel is out of place - if there are comings and goings from a building that was previously derelict for example, then please contact us, let us know about that.
"We've also seen in some examples they will actually re-route electricity into it, and you might see signs of people digging up pavements outside derelict properties, and that again would appear strange."
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No arrests have yet been made in connection with the raids in Selkirk or Galashiels, but enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information can call police by dialling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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