Over 30 people have been arrested for a range of offences following a period of proactive intelligence-gathering and enforcement in the Scottish Borders.
In October 2022, Operation Jabiru was launched and a team of officers were put in place to proactively gather intelligence and execute warrants targeting criminals operating within the region. Over the last three months, this proactive unit has carried out 49 searches at properties in connection with drugs, firearms, organised crime and other offences. This has resulted in the recovery of three firearms which are currently subject to further investigation, as well as over £18,000 in cash, and luxury goods worth in excess of £50,000 believed to be proceeds of criminal activity.
In addition, significant quantities of Class A, B and C drugs have been seized from addresses in Hawick, Galashiels, Kelso and Jedburgh.
The largest seizure, as part of Operation Jabiru, was on Friday, 20 January, 2023, when officers executed warrants at two addresses in Galashiels – Halliburton Place and Gala Park Gardens. During these searches, various items associated with drug dealing, including scales, mobile phones and measuring spoons were discovered, along with large quantities of heroin and cocaine.
In total, drugs with a potential value of over £100,000 were seized. A 42 year old male and 26 year old female have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Officers have also worked collaboratively with colleagues across England to enhance information-sharing between all forces and target travelling crime groups committing offences both North and South of the border.