A stretch of the north’s busiest road was in lockdown last night after police were forced to call in the bomb squad during a raid at a suspected cannabis farm.
Officers have this morning launched a full investigation after a package was discovered at a residential address in the Spital area of Caithness shortly after 10pm.
The find came after the execution of a drug search warrant at the property and resulted in a team of bomb disposal experts being called to the address.
Police launched a 100 metre cordon around the property, resulting in the closure of the A9 between Latheron and Sordale.
The road remained closed for some time with diversion in place via the A99 and A882 but was reopened in the early hours.
Officers confirmed this morning that a 55-year-old man had been arrested and charged in relation to drug offences.
He is expected to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court later this week.
A spokesman for the force said: “We would like to reassure the public that appropriate action is being taken.”
They added: “The public are thanked for their patience whilst emergency services dealt with the incident.”
A9 lockdown as bomb squad called to cannabis farm drug raid