CANNABIS worth nearly half a million pounds was seized in two incidents in the region this week.
Police recovered a haul of the drug, with an estimated street value of £100,000, on the A74 near Lockerbie yesterday.
At about 6.40pm last night (Wednesday), a Toyota Yaris was stopped by police on the A74(M) northbound, near to junction 17. Officers found the cannabis in the vehicle.
Two men, aged 29 and 58 years, have been arrested and charged in connection with this recovery and are due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court today.
Detective Superintendent Stevie Elliot said: “These significant recoveries highlight our determination to protect the public from this type of harmful criminality.
“It also underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy and we will continue to work with partner agencies to tackle this issue and make our communities safer.
“Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work and we would continue to urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
Earlier in the week, a cannabis haul worth £385,000 was also seized from a vehicle at the Loch Ryan Sea Port at Cairnryan. It happened at about 10.50 pm on Monday.
A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the recovery. He appeared at Stranraer Sheriff Court on Tuesday, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.