Deputy Justice Minister Johann Lamont was in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh today — the first stop on a two-week roadshow which will include the Wellgate Centre in Dundee tomorrow.

Two previous DDDC campaigns, each lasting six weeks in 2005 and 2006, have led directly to over 5000 drugs-related calls to Crimestoppers, 530 arrests and the seizure of over £1.6 million worth of cash and drugs.

Superintendent Aaron Duncan, deputy divisional commander in Dundee, today welcomed the campaign’s launch.

He said, “We have run successful operations and taken a large amount of drugs out of the system. Our operation in November, in particular, resulted in a lot of drugs being recovered, arrests made and potential proceeds recovered.

“The important thing is that the public come on board and supply us with information we can use to target dealers. They can contact us anonymously through Crimestoppers and we will act swiftly and hopefully lock up more drug dealers in Dundee.

“The roadshow will be in the city tomorrow and we are looking forward to meeting members of the public in the Wellgate Centre.”

The campaign is paid for entirely from the assets seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Ms Lamont said, “Drugs, and the callous criminals who peddle them, are a scourge on society. Individuals, families and communities all suffer from this evil trade.

“The police and other agencies involved are having real success in tackling the supply of drugs. More dealers are being arrested, more networks and drugs factories are being disrupted, more hard drugs are being taken off the streets, and more assets of dealers seized.

“I would urge anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant they may think it is, to call Crimestoppers Scotland on 0800-555-111.

“The lines are open 24 hours a day. That one piece of information could provide the final bit of evidence that helps police get one of these criminals off the street.”