Five county lines gangs which are predominantly based in Liverpool, Derby and London are bringing drugs into Inverness by preying on vulnerable individuals to transport and sell drugs for them
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Five county lines drugs gangs are operating in the Inverness area, it has been revealed.
The city-based serious and organised crime gangs prey on vulnerable individuals to transport and sell drugs in outlying areas such as the Highlands.
A report by police to Highland Council’s city of Inverness area committee reveals the methods used to force people to work on their behalf, including coercion, intimidation and violence – including sexual violence.
The report tells councillors: “There are five county lines gangs actively importing drugs into the Inverness area.
“The gangs impacting on our area are predominantly based in Liverpool, Derby and London.”
Detailing how extra manpower is now being dedicated to combatting the growing menace, it adds: “The policing resource to tackle this was doubled in January 2021.
“There are 10 constables working under the direction of a detective sergeant and the team has achieved a number of arrests with large quantities of heroin, crack cocaine and thousands of pounds in cash seized.”
A number of cases have been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and are awaiting prosecution in the courts.
