| Assistant Chief Constable Clive Murray was responding to Sheriff Alistair Duff’s public questioning of the drive to suppress the city’s heroin trade.
The high-profile operation in the Hilltown and Stobswell areas has so far resulted in 39 arrests.
The first user to be caught was sentenced to probation yesterday — but Sheriff Duff wondered aloud if the use of undercover officers in the case was “value for money”.
ACC Murray said police would continue to use “all legitimate means, including the very cost effective and successful tactics” used during Operation Waterloo to crack down on the heroin trade.
“We will continue to target and detect those who choose to become involved with this highly addictive illegal drug. The human cost can be devastating.
“It brings misery to communities and tragically we too frequently see people die as a result of what is often downplayed as ‘lower end’, almost casual street dealing,” he said.
The case that prompted the exchange involved Dean David Johnston (25), who admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin on June 17.
The court heard he was arrested after passing a bag of heroin to an undercover female police officer who pretended she was an addict suffering the effects of withdrawal.
Sheriff Duff said Johnston’s actions were indeed criminal but “one has to wonder if having officers devote their time in this way gives value for money”.
ACC Murray said police enforcement could provide users with the opportunity to find a route to recovery. “It also presents heroin dealers, irrespective of scale, with the distinct prospect of being caught and brought before the court for appropriate sentencing,” he said. |
