Two men have been charged by specialist officers following what police have described as a "large-scale" operation aimed at disrupting serious organised crime and drug supply networks in Scotland.
Arrests in South Lanarkshire
Both men, aged 30, were arrested in the Cambuslang area of South Lanarkshire. The operation was conducted by officers from Police Scotland's organised crime and counter terrorist unit. The arrests are a direct result of what authorities term "extensive inquiries" involving both Scottish police and international partners.
Part of Europe-Wide Operation Venetic
The activity forms a crucial part of Operation Venetic, a major Europe-wide initiative designed to identify and dismantle organised crime groups. The operation specifically targets criminals who used encrypted communication devices, such as the EncroChat network, to coordinate their illegal activities.
Detective Superintendent Steven Elliott stated on Tuesday that the arrests represent a further outcome from the interrogation of data seized from these encrypted platforms. "Analysis of this data remains a priority, with advances in policing enabling us to continue progressing our inquiries," he said.
Ongoing Inquiries and Court Appearance
Police have confirmed that their investigation is continuing and that further arrests could be made as the probe develops. The force emphasised its commitment to working with partners to identify all individuals involved.
The two men who were arrested are now scheduled to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 24 December. Detective Superintendent Elliott reinforced the ongoing nature of the work, stating, "Our team continue to investigate and we will identify further individuals who used the EncroChat network and report their actions to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service."
He concluded by highlighting that tackling serious and organised crime is a key priority, carried out as part of the wider strategy coordinated by the serious and organised crime taskforce.
