A police crackdown has seen almost £1m worth of drugs seized in West Lothian in the last year – and seen a ‘multi-million’ pound illegal tobacco operation on a scale never seen in Scotland before shut down.

Officers revealed the results of what has been branded ‘Operation Wingman’ to the latest round of Local Area Committees held by West Lothian Council.

Councillors heard that in the last three months alone £190,000 worth of drugs were seized following police raids in Livingston and West Calder.

Police have also scored success against organised gangs dealing in illegal tobacco production.

Speaking to Linlithgow Local Area Committee this week Constable Fiona Bell said: “West Lothian Pro-active Crime Team continue to develop and carry out enforcement on members of organised crime groups based in West Lothian (Operation Wingman) that are involved in the supply of controlled drugs.

“By the end of Quarter 4, [January to March] Operation Wingman had removed over £957,000 worth of drugs from West Lothian streets, along with over £136,000 in cash along with numerous items linked to proceeds of crime.”

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