Drugs and drug manufacturing equipment seized by officers in Broxburn, West Lothian
Officers in West Lothian have seized drugs and drug manufacturing equipment from an industrial estate in Broxburn which had been producing millions of illicit tablets.
On Tuesday 21 December 2021, police executed a warrant at a commercial premises in Albyn Industrial Estate, and discovered a sophisticated drugs factory set up on an industrial scale.
Alongside thousands of Etizolam tablets, commonly known as street valium, officers also seized three automatic pill press machines, large amounts of bulking powders and binding agents used to make Etizolam pills with the potential to sell for millions of pounds. A firearm was also recovered.
Three men aged 33, 46 and 60 have appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court in relation to drugs and firearms offences.
Detective Inspector Gary Reid, from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: “This is one of, if not the biggest drugs factory recovered in Scotland to date, which is capable of producing millions of Etizolam tablets per day.
“This was a significant recovery and will undoubtedly prevent further illicit tablets reaching often vulnerable people on the streets of Scotland.
“The addition of the firearm recovery also indicates the violence and threats often used by those involved in this type of criminality and serious and organised crime.
“I would like to thank the public at this time for their help and information which led us to identify those involved, and urge anyone with any information on the production and supply of controlled substances to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
