POLICE seized 23 illegal firearms and made more than 295 arrests in a four-week crackdown on organised crime.
POLICE seized 23 illegal firearms and made more than 295 arrests in a four-week crackdown on organised crime.
Officers across Strathclyde targeted major players in the crime world during the operation, and a senior officer said the force "seriously disrupted criminal networks".
The results included:
- 23 firearms taken off the street.
- Drugs worth an estimated street value of £500,000 were recovered.
- £105,000 in cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
- 300 vehicles searched, with 43 seized.
Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan said: "There's no doubt the enforcement activity over the past few weeks has seriously disrupted many organised criminal networks.
"We have taken 23 illegal weapons off the streets and succeeded in arresting more than 295 people with alleged links to serious and organised crimes.
"We will remain focused and continue to detect and disrupt this criminality.
"As well as targeting their business interests, we have been targeting their social circles, encroaching on their territory.
"We will continue to target these people by all possible means. Our message is clear - if you are part of an organised criminal gang, using violence, threats of violence or intimidation we will take action against you using everything in our power to do so."
During the operation officers visited 230 licensed premises and 111 security sites. More than 80 security staff were checked with eight arrested for immigration offences and eight more reported for claiming benefit while working.
Officers visited 321 shops to educate businesses on the sale of realistic imitation firearms. Police also visited 27 firearms dealers.
Assistant Chief Constable Corrigan added many people don't realise they can indirectly contribute to organised crime by buying fake goods or counterfeit DVDs.
He said: "This helps line the pockets of criminals. Your money is funding not only their wealthy lifestyle, but is being used to fund serious crimes, such as human trafficking, money laundering and drugs.
"I would urge people to think about where their cash is going, who is benefiting and what exactly it is being used for."
The operation involved a number of other agencies, including the Security Industry Authority, the UK Border Agency, the Department for Work and Pensions and Trading Standards.
The four-week campaign is part of Strathclyde Police's on-going campaign against violence.
In previous months, specific issues, including gangs, weapons and violent offenders, were targeted.
A police spokesman added: "This phase involved additional officers taking to the streets in a number of operations to disrupt and deter criminal networks causing significant harm within communities through their involvement in serious violence and crime."
