A middle of the day exchange of gunfire, yesterday in Birmingham between the ‘Captain’ and ‘Frankie’ County Lines gangs fighting over territory – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybfZbacJy4M
I recognized the name ‘Frankie’. They get around.
From the Ross-shire Journal, in November 2024:
County Lines drug gangs reach as far north as Alness, police confirm. THE Highlands are grappling with the grim reality of so-called County Lines drug operations, with 10 separate gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals in its capital city.
Police Scotland’s Highlands and Islands Division has identified the growing footprint of organised crime over the past 18 months, with devastating consequences for the community. The criminal networks behind County Lines originate in major cities like Liverpool, London, and the West Midlands, and use a combination of coercion, exploitation, and violence to tighten their grip on the drug trade.
The ‘Frankie’ line is from the West Midlands and the police quickly put a dent in their work in the Highlands after an increase of fatal and non-fatal overdoses due to the presence of Nitazene in heroin.
What’s the problem with Nitazines in Heroin?
The UK government is behind the curve in tracking the spread of new super-strength drugs, a doctor who has treated patients has said.
More than 100 deaths have now been linked to synthetic opioids called nitazenes since the summer, according to the National Crime Agency. Dr Mark Pucci says flawed data collection methods mean the numbers are a significant underestimate. On Wednesday, fifteen synthetic opioids became Class A drugs.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those caught in their supply and production could face up to life in prison, the Home Office said, while those caught in possession could face up to seven years. Home Secretary James Cleverly said the government was taking a range of measures to keep Nitazenes off the streets. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68479491
Police and public health leaders have warned it has “never been” more dangerous to take drugs thanks to the arrival of super-strength man-made opioids.
Nitazenes can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin but unscrupulous drug suppliers have been mixing them into other drugs – despite potentially “dire consequences”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg58lvyl4nyo
One more reason why reducing Scotland’s drug deaths is hampered by this union.
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Talking-up Scotland 
Back in the 60s heroin addicts could get opioids from their GP. There was no need to buy and sell and so there was no incentive for criminal gangs to start supplying. No profit. There were very few addicts then.
The UK government stopped the GPs from supplying opiates in 1968 (Dangerous Drugs (Supply to Addicts) Act 1967). A huge trade in illegal supply was born. It replicated Prohibition in the US which enriched the Mafia and their lucrative trafficking in alcohol and other substances.
For as long as Westminster controls legislation we are plagued by bone headed laws with no course correction when they are demonstrably wrong. IMHO
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KICK THESE GITS OUT OF SCOTLAND NOW
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Scottish Gov funding proper rehab facilities £250million over five years.
Doctors prescribe methadone. Just as bad as heroin. All drug deaths in Scotland are people prescribe methadone then take other substances. Proper rehab facilities is the way to take drug deaths down.
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