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In one of the largest police operations conducted in Scotland, authorities targeted a Vietnamese organised crime network believed to be involved in human trafficking and the cultivation of cannabis. The operation saw approximately 300 officers executing coordinated dawn raids, resulting in 36 arrests and the discovery of 14 cannabis farms. The searches spanned 47 properties across multiple locations including Aberdeen, Dundee, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders.
Police Scotland has revealed that the criminal gang engages in a variety of illegal activities, such as human trafficking, drug manufacturing, fraud, money laundering, and organised immigration offenses. The investigation began after links were made between Vietnamese criminals and 150 cannabis farms uncovered throughout Scotland the previous year. This earlier crackdown led to around 120 arrests of so-called “gardeners,” along with the seizure of drugs valued at £26 million.
Further probing connected a single Vietnamese criminal group to about one-third of those cannabis farms. Over several months, law enforcement planned the raids culminating in Wednesday’s sweeping enforcement action. Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram described the operation as “by far the biggest human trafficking investigation that Police Scotland has ever run,” emphasizing the intent “to disrupt and absolutely cripple that organisation.” He went on to say, “All of the targets of this operation have been arrested and they are the ones we believe are running that operation.”
The enforcement efforts also extended beyond Scotland, with arrests made in Birmingham, supported by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Bertram noted that the criminal network likely operates UK-wide and internationally. Collaboration has been ongoing with regional crime teams across England, Wales, and Ireland, alongside coordination with the National Crime Agency officers based in Hanoi, who have been liaising with Vietnamese authorities. As police sift through phones, documents, and other data, they aim to determine if any of those arrested are victims of human trafficking. Bertram stressed that “Vietnamese nationals are still the highest nationality that we see being exploited in Scotland” and confirmed that investigations to identify victims will continue with great diligence
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