This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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International Drugs summit
23/09/2002
Scotland's support for increased global co-operation in attacking the international drug supply network and the drug barons who control it will be reinforced at a special meeting of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Forum today.
First Minister Jack McConnell will address high-ranking officers from the US Drug Enforcement Administration, who were invited after he accompanied its officers on an operation in New York during Tartan Day earlier this year. Representatives from Scottish and UK enforcement agencies will also attend.
One of the areas under discussion at the Tulliallan Police College is increasing the seizure of the assets drug dealers use to enjoy lavish lifestyles and fund criminal enterprises.
Mr McConnell said:
"I want Scotland to be a centre of excellence in tackling drugs and also play our full part nationally and internationally. One of the key ways we can do this is by seizing through powerful new legislation more of the funds drug dealers use to spread misery in communities.
"This special meeting will help us crackdown on dealers and make crime pay.
"Drugs networks are the multi-national corporations of the criminal world. This is a global menace which needs a tough global response, sharing our expertise and combining our forces against the supply chain.
"I was extremely impressed by the US DEA officers I joined on an operation in New York. That is why I invited senior US DEA officers to Scotland and I am delighted that they are able to be here."
The special meeting will hear from Mr Richard Fiano, Director of US DEA Operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and Mr Joseph Keefe, US DEA Special Agent.
The First Minister, ACPOS President Chief Constable Andrew Cameron and SDEA Director Jim Orr will also meet with the US DEA officers.
The Scottish Drug Enforcement Forum, which meets annually, is chaired by Deputy Justice Minister Richard Simpson. It was established to bring together agencies involved in drug enforcement in Scotland to improve co-operation against drug dealing and first met in 2000.
In 2001-02, the SDEA seized drugs with a street value of £19.9 million (72 per cent of which were Class A) and 172 people were arrested for drug trafficking offences. Since April of this year, drugs with a street value of £11.2 million have been seized, and 95 persons arrested for drug trafficking offences.
New powers to seize the assets of drug dealers and suspected drug dealers under the Proceeds of Crime Bill are expected to come into force early next year.