Pair arrested in Fife in national crackdown on county lines drugs operations

Two men have been arrested in Fife as part of a national crackdown on alleged drug dealing.

Officers raided properties in Methil and Kennoway during a week of action on so-called county lines, recovering crack cocaine worth an estimated £3,000, more than £5,000 in cash and a taser.

Two men from Birmingham were charged and appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court last Thursday.

Kieran Carolan, 22, and Daniel Church, 20, are charged with offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Firearms Act.

Neither man made any plea, with Carolan expected to appear again today, while Church has been released on bail.

County lines is where criminals from larger cities expand their operations into smaller towns, often exploiting young and vulnerable people to sell drugs and even taking over people's homes - known as cuckooing.

Across Scotland, 20 people were arrested, and drugs worth an estimated £40,000 were seized - along with £20,000 in cash, weapons, phones, a laptop and counterfeit cash.

Officers spoke to 29 vulnerable people and visited 64 addresses believed to be used for cuckooing.

Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Pat Campbell said: "County Lines gangs are not welcome in Scotland. They groom and exploit the most vulnerable people in our communities including children and young people.

"People are intimidated, coerced, threatened and force into storing or selling drugs.

"Our officers remain absolutely committed to working with our partners to reduce the exploitation of vulnerable people and safeguard individuals who may be at risk, and pursue offenders.

"Together we will provide support to those targeted by unscrupulous criminals, to reduce ongoing risk and enable recovery; and we will continue to make Scotland a hostile environment to those who seek to engage in criminal activity.

"The positive results during the day of action are an example of this work which will continue in support of the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy and the Drug Harm Reduction Strategy.

"As ever, I would urge anyone with concerns to report them to Police Scotland or alternatively to Crimestoppers anonymously."