A man was arrested in Dumbarton yesterday (Wednesday) as part of a multi-million pound UK wide drugs investigation.
Officers from the National Crime Agency arrested the 47-year-old in Garshake Terrace on suspicion of conspiracy to supply heroin, as part of a nationwide campaign known as Operation Venetic that also saw arrests made in Merseyside.
Analysis of messages acquired as part of the operation – an investigation into the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat – supported the investigation.
Officers believe they were planning to produce large quantities of amphetamine at a location in Scotland, as well as trafficking heroin from Scotland to Merseyside.
The group, aged between 34 and 66, remain in custody.
On December 4 last year, as part of the same investigation, more than 620kg of APAA - a substance used in the manufacture of amphetamine - was seized and two men arrested after arriving on a flight from Turkey.
Both were later released under investigation.
Ian McConnell, NCA Operations Manager, said: “Producing amphetamine on an industrial scale would have devastating consequences for the community - drug trafficking thrives on inciting violence, spreading fear and exploiting vulnerable children and adults for criminal gain.
“These actions have led to the arrest of eight suspected members of an organised crime group and will continue to target those at the top of the drug market chain, to make their businesses unviable and keep people safe.”
