A man suspected of supplying equipment to produce illegal drugs linked to a spike in Scots drug deaths has been arrested.
The man, in his 30s, was detained on suspicion of drugs and money laundering offences at an address in Swindon on Thursday June 9.
It comes as National Crime Agency (NCA) officers investigated an English company alleged to have been supplying drug equipment.
This included providing pill presses, stamps and mixing agents to organised crime groups involved in making and selling 'street valium.'
Also known as 'street benzos,' the NCA say pills are sold cheaply, sometimes for less than the price of a chocolate bar.
They are known to be behind a growing percentage of drug related deaths throughout the UK but particularly in Scotland.
The arrest today follows a series of raids which were carried out by Police Scotland in Dalry, Paisley and Glasgow in early 2020.
These led to pills, presses and pill-making equipment being seized and five men subsequently being jailed for a total of 19 years.
NCA Branch Commander Colin Williams said: “This investigation has brought the seizure of items which we believe were used as part of the production of illegal ‘street valium' tablets.
"We urge people to avoid taking these drugs – they can be lethal.
“They destroy lives and have a catastrophic impact on our communities.
"The NCA and our partners are determined to continue our work to take both the substances and equipment used to produce them off the streets, and target the organised crime groups involved in their distribution.”
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