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Publication - Statistics

Drug Seizures and Offender Characteristics, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022

Published
28 March 2023
From
Chief Statistician, +1 more … Director of Safer Communities
Directorate
Justice Directorate, +1 more … Safer Communities Directorate
ISBN
9781805256601

This is a publication detailing the number and quantity of various drug types seized by Police Scotland in relation to supply crimes and estimated number and quantity of various drug types seized in relation to possession crimes during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years.

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Key Points

This bulletin presents Official Statistics on drug seizures made by the police in Scotland and the characteristics of those found in possession of drugs. These statistics relate to drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which divides drugs into three classes, namely A, B and C. For the purpose of this bulletin, the drug classifications at the end of the reporting periods, to 31 March 2021 and 2022 respectively, have been applied to the data.

  • The quantity of drugs seized can fluctuate considerably each year and does not necessarily move in line with the number of seizures made. Whilst most drug seizures consist of relatively small quantities (usually possession-related crimes), annual quantities of drugs seized can be greatly influenced by a small number of large seizures (usually from supply-related crimes).
  • For crimes of drug supply, the main Class A drugs seized by Police Scotland in 2021-22 were heroin (127 kilograms) and cocaine (64 kilograms). Police Scotland also seized approximately 12,200 ecstasy-type tablets.
  • Again, for crimes of drug supply, the main Class B drugs seized by Police Scotland in 2021-22 were herbal cannabis (1,467 kilograms), cannabis resin (86 kilograms) and amphetamines (50 kilograms). They also seized nearly 34,000 cannabis plants.
  • For Class C drugs, the main drugs seized were 4.8 million benzodiazepine tablets.
  • A sample of drug possession crimes for 2021-22 estimated that 57% involved herbal cannabis, with 11% for etizolam, 10% for cocaine and 4% for heroin.
  • In 2021-22, around four out of every five drug possession offenders were male (81%). The median age of an offender was 30 years old, with three-fifths (60%) being between 20 and 39 years old.
Drug Seizures and Offender Characteristics 2020-21 and 2021-22
Full page infographic summarising drug possession crimes in 2021-22. It is estimated that 57% of drug possession crimes invloved herbal cannabis, 11% for etizolam, 10% for cocaine powder and 4% for heroin. The vast majority of offenders were male (81%) and the median age of an offender was 30 (with three fifths (60%) being between 20 and 39 years old). The most common location for drug possession crimes to take place was the street or other open space (61% of crimes). An estimated 47% of drug possession crimes were detected by police while on routine patrol where officers had a suspicion or observed that the offender was in possession of drugs.

Contact

Email: JusticeAnalysts@gov.scot

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