Cops raid eight houses in Ferguslie Park drugs blitz

Jun 16 2012 by Chris Clements, Paisley Daily Express

DRUG-BUSTING police yesterday launched a massive drugs swoop on a Paisley housing estate, netting a haul of cannabis, heroin and cocaine.

A huge police convoy descended on Ferguslie Park in an early-morning raid on eight separate houses.

Doors were battered down as part of a fresh crackdown on dealing in the area.

And a total of 13 people nine men and four women now face being reported to the procurator fiscal.

Cops turned over four homes in Dalskeith Avenue, two in Tannahill Crescent, one in Ferguslie Park Avenue and another in Glencoats Avenue, during a co-ordinated operation shortly before 8am on Friday.

Residents and children on their way to school watched as police swooped on the suspected dealers.

The Paisley Daily Express understands that cops netted a variety of drugs ranging from cannabis and cocaine to what is believed to be heroin from a number of homes.

Police also recovered what appeared to be a firearm from one property.

The raids came a day after colleagues in East Renfrewshire launched a massive raid on a street in Barrhead, as revealed in yesterdays Express.

Before yesterday mornings raids, Paisleys new top cop Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs spoke to the officers involved at Renfrew Police Office.

Inspector Julie Henry, of the Community Investigation Unit based at Paisleys Mill Street station, led the operation, which was carried out using information passed on by members of the public.

She said: The operation demonstrates our intention to keep people safe and tackle the issues most affecting their lives.

It also shows that the focus remains on ensuring that local concerns are being addressed.

We have no intention of being complacent, and local people can be reassured that we will continue to do as much as possible to disrupt criminal activity wherever we find it.

She added: The operation today came as a result of a number of concerns raised by members of the public.

We will do everything in our power to ensure people feel safe in the area.

At the time of going to press yesterday, police were still searching some addresses in Ferguslie Park.

The operation kicked off at 7.30am, with a convoy of police vehicles and unmarked cars rolling into Ferguslie Park.

CID officers joined colleagues from the dog branch, specialist entry section and plain-clothes officers for the blitz.

Specialist entry cops smashed their way into homes before the properties were searched from top to bottom.

Cops were also seen searching a vehicle as part of the raid, and a man and a woman were led away in cuffs from one property.

Police dogs were used to sniff out suspect packages as part of the bust.

A police spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that nine men were reported for alleged drugs offences. Four women were also reported.