24/7 Legal Advice
A recently published report has revealed that almost 3,000 individuals known to be involved in serious organized crime were arrested in Scotland last year.
The Serious Organized Crime Task Force (SOCTF) reported that £9million was seized from people and organizations operating illegally, while almost £7m of counterfeit cigarettes, clothing and cosmetics were retrieved.
The report highlighted the existence of at least 196 groups found to be carrying out serious organized crime in Scotland.
Of these groups, the majority - 67% - operated in the west of Scotland, with 22% discovered to be working in the east and 11% in the north of the country.
Of the criminal gangs discovered, two-thirds were found to be operating in drug-related crime. The majority of these cases revolved around the trafficking, buying and selling of cocaine, while other criminal group activity documented in the report involved illegal substances such as heroin, cannabis, tranquillizers and amphetamines.
Many of these gangs are also involved in crimes that Police Scotland describe as “emerging threats” to public safety. These threats include cyber crime, human trafficking and fraud.
The report has also been crucial in highlighting the link between counterfeit goods and organised crime gangs currently operating underground in Scotland, several of which are said to be involved in drug dealing, human trafficking and crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
SOCTF also reported that 66% of serious crime groups mask their criminal activity with outwardly legitimate businesses, from pubs, clubs, restaurants, and nail bars to construction firms, shops, garages and taxi companies.
About 720 such businesses have been identified by the report.
Police Scotland, as well as prosecutors, HM Revenue and Customs and other organizations, have agreed to pool their resources and combine their intelligence alongside the Serious Organized Crime Task Force. Collectively, they want to raise awareness of the connection between counterfeit goods and serious organized crime, particularly as Christmas approaches.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson warned that the threat from serious organized crime continues to rise, adding that the authorities are continually adapting their approach to tackling criminal group in order to try to quash these emerging threats as quickly as possible.
He stated:
"Tackling organized crime is about much more than police raids and court trials. We need to work collectively, in our communities to tackle the harm caused by serious organised crime, to stop the cycle of deprivation and, crucially, give those involved in these activities the chance to turn their lives around.
With the right education we can prevent people, including our young people, from being recruited into a life of crime."
If you have been charged with a serious crime and require representation, then contact our expert criminal defence lawyers today.
