Two ruthless crime gangs are trying to flood the streets of Renfrewshire with deadly drugs.
Police Scotland insist bringing them down is a top priority as it emerged 16 drug-related deaths were recorded in the region between April and June.
The force said two known drug gangs are currently being “managed” by specialist officers and drug supply charges are up 16.7 per cent on the previous year.
A Police Scotland report to Renfrewshire Council’s Police and Fire Scrutiny Board outlined the situation across the region as determined cops work to bring down the gang’s kingpins.
It states: “Targeting serious and organised crime continues to be a priority for the division.
“Two organised crime groups, which primarily impact on Renfrewshire, are being managed by the division, both of which are involved in drug supply.
“Drug supply charges have increased by 16.7 per cent on the previous year.”
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The report also outlined the number of drug deaths reported across Renfrewshire.
Sixteen people lost their lives - with heroin, Valium and cocaine said to be the most common contributing substances.
Police have enjoyed significant successes in bringing down drug gangs intent on spreading misery across the region.
Last month, James Carroll, 56, and Michael Shek, 35, were jailed for a total of nine years at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to manufacturing deadly Blue Plague pills at an industrial unit in Mary Street, Johnstone.
Cops also revealed to elected members how they are tackling a crime gang who use sophisticated “keyless” techniques to steal Ford motor vehicles.
Five people were arrested as a result of Operation Subterfuge, as officers raided the homes of suspects across Renfrewshire on July 2.
It is claimed the gang used a specialist Tibbe Key to steal dozens of cars to the value of more than £1.3million across the West of Scotland.
The crooks used “equipment also used by locksmiths and electronic devices in order to overcome the immobiliser security of vehicles”, the report adds.
Detectives from Renfrewshire’s Intelligence and Serious and Organised Crime Teams led the operation, which is ongoing.
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