Pubdate: Fri, 22 Aug 2003
Source: Daily Record (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/111
Author: Richard Elias
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

HEROIN TRADE SHAME

Scots Are Mr Bigs

SCOTLAND has been branded one of the top spots for heroin trafficking
in the UK.

And experts have singled out Glasgow as a "significant regional hub"
for Class A drug distribution.

Britain's leading crime-fighting agency say many Scottish gangs have
set up links with suppliers in the Netherlands to flood our streets
with smack.

A report by the National Criminal Intelligence Service says the key
players in UK drug distribution are based in Scotland, Merseyside and
London.

It says: "These groups are not only procuring heroin within the UK on
a large scale for distribution, but are also increasingly involved in
importing heroin consignments, primarily from the near Continent."

It also emerged yesterday that super-strength temazepam capsules,
which send users into violent rages, are being sold in Ayrshire.

The "super jellies" are twice as strong as normal temazepam
capsules.

Police believe they could be behind a recent wave of violence among
drug users in Irvine and Kilmarnock.

A spokesman for Mothers Against Drugs said: "There has been so much
violence in the area when they have been taking this stuff."

In Aberdeen, meanwhile, there is a new drugs menace on the
scene.

Wafarin - used as a rat poison and as a prescription drug for people
with heart problems - is being sold for 50p a tablet. Drug workers
warn that the tablets, known as Thai Blues, can be lethal.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin