Tens of thousands of pounds worth of heroin has been seized with arrests made in both Irvine and Kilbirnie.

At about 10.45am on Tuesday, September 8 officers forced entry to a property in McKinlay Crescent, Irvine under the powers of a search warrant.

Class A drugs, believed to be heroin, with a street value in excess of £2,000 and tablets suspected to be class C drugs were recovered during a search.

A four-figure sum of cash was also seized under Proceeds of Crime legislation.

A 52-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman were arrested for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

The following day [September 9] entry was forced to a property in Borestone Avenue, Kilbirnie at around 11.05am.

A significant quantity of class A drugs believed to be heroin, with a street value in excess of £30,000, and over 100,000 tablets suspected to be class C drugs were seized.

A 40-year-old man was arrested and charged for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and was held in police custody to appear at court.

Full reports have been sent to the Procurator Fiscal and the tablets seized will be the subject of further analysis.

Chief Inspector Brian Shaw, Area Commander for North Ayrshire, said: “These searches are part of our ongoing commitment to work with the community and our partners to target those involved in the supply of drugs which have a devastating impact on the lives of local people.

“The volume of items recovered in these incidents will undoubtedly have a significant impact in disrupting the wider activities of the organised crime networks who profit from this type of activity. The huge number of tablets seized could potentially have a street value in the region of £75,000 - aside from the profits for those involved each one has the potential to devastate a family or community.

“We continue to support the activities of our partners and promote recovery opportunities in the local area through our partnerships with the local Alcohol and Drugs Partnership.”

Anyone with concerns about crime in their community is encouraged to contact their local policing team by calling 101 (in an emergency always dial 999).

Information can also be passed via the independent charity CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111 where anyonymity can be maintained.