D4 Seizures of controlled drugs
Key Points 2005/06
Overview
- There were 24,941 seizures of controlled drugs in Scotland
(Table D4.1).
- There were 5,270 seizures of Class A drugs, 1,205 seizures of
Class B drugs and 20,353 seizures of Class C drugs (Table
D4.3).
- The largest number of seizures for Class A drugs were for
heroin. For Class B drugs the largest number of seizures related to
amphetamines, while for Class C drugs the largest number of
seizures were of cannabis resin (Table D4.3).
Geographical profile
- Strathclyde police made 58% (14,479) of the drug seizures in
Scotland (Table D4.1).
- Of 97.5kg of heroin seized in Scotland, 63% was seized in
Strathclyde, 9% in Tayside and 8% in Fife (Table D4.2).
- Of 148 seizures of crack cocaine in Scotland, 85% (126) were
made in Grampian. The crack cocaine seized in Grampian represents
88% (2.3kg) of the total amount seized in Scotland (2.6kg) (Table
D4.2).
Five year trends – 2001/02 to 2005/06
- Since 2001/02 the number of drug seizures in Scotland increased
by 29% from 19,350 to 24,941 (Table D4.1).
- The number of Class A seizures increased by 3% overall (5,124
to 5,270), however, there was an increase of 128% in seizures of
cocaine (541 to 1,233) and an increase of 190% in seizures of crack
cocaine (51 to 148) over the same period (Table D4.3).
- The number of Class B seizures increased by 20% (995 to 1,205)
(Table D4.3).
- The number of Class C seizures, the majority of which was
cannabis, increased by 34% (15,153 to 20,353). Total seizures of
cannabis saw an increase of 32%, however, seizures of herbal
cannabis increased by 289% (574 to 2,231). It should be noted
however that the rise in seizures of herbal cannabis did not have a
corresponding rise in quantity seized, with the quantity seized in
2005/06 (750.3kg) being the lowest weight over the 5 year period
(Table D4.3).
Background information
This section provides a selection of information on seizures of
drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 by both Police
and Customs & Excise. Data on seizures of controlled drugs was
published by the Scottish Government for the first time with the
2004/05 and 2005/06 figures. Previously the data had been collected
and published by the Home Office. Comparisons to previous Home
Office publications show difference in quantity seized, especially
in some Class A drugs. This was the result of duplicate records
which were discovered during the Scottish Government’s data
analysis. Confirmation of the correct data were sought from police
forces and the duplicate records were removed.
From 29th January 2004 cannabis was reclassified as a Class C
drug. For the purposes of this publication cannabis is shown as a
Class C drug for all years.
It is important to note that large seizures can
disproportionately affect the quantities seized, leading to large
changes from year to year. Also, the number of seizures of
different drug types does not appear to be necessarily related to
the number of inhabitants in a police force area.
Further information
Further statistics on seizures of controlled drugs in Scotland
are available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/DrugSeizures
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