Two men who were charged during a high-profile operation to tackle “cuckooing” and serious organised crime in the north-east have been sentenced today to a total of almost six years in prison.
Colin Stewart, 34, was sentenced to 47 months and 32-year-old Richard Cameron to 20 months in connection with drug supply offences committed in Fraserburgh and Peterhead last year.
The pair appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today after being arrested and charged in October during Operation Corner, an initiative to disrupt organised crime groups who target vulnerable people within their own homes in order to establish themselves locally to sell or store drugs.
Police said these criminals usually come from outwith Scotland to expand their network.
In total, 53 people were charged and 34 drug search warrants executed during the operation, with those charged reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Another man – Douglas Sandison – who was also arrested and charged during the op pleaded guilty at the end of last year to drug-related offences and was sentenced to 44 months in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Lorna Ferguson said: “The ultimate aim of Operation Corner was to focus on the activities of those involved in serious and organised crime at all levels, particularly those who were travelling to the north-east to exploit vulnerable people living in Peterhead and Fraserburgh for their own financial gain.
“Cuckooing or ‘county lines’ may not be new concepts but we were hearing from both communities that illegal drug activity was affecting their quality of life and increased activity was required to tackle this unwanted behaviour.
“Tackling drug misuse is not just about the police putting doors in and executing warrants. Whilst this is an important part of disrupting the supply, we must also address the wider issues that bring about drug abuse in the first place and we work with our partners to provide the ‘wrap around’ support to those who need and want it.”