A major drugs bust in Ayrshire has helped Police Scotland seize cannabis plants worth over £8.5million since the start of 2024.

In January alone so far, officers across the country have intercepted various quantities of the Class B drug with an estimated street value of £8,624,000.

This month’s activity included two seven-figure seizures, with cannabis worth £3.6m recovered in Greenock and a further quantity worth £2.25m recovered in Dundee.

Earlier this month, a £650,000 cannabis farm was discovered at a property in Ayr's Green Street.

They recovered nearly 300 cannabis plants and more than 70 kilos of dried cannabis on Monday, January 15.

Kristjan Begu, 32, and Altin Laskaj, 29, appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court the following day to face two charges under the misuse of drugs act and one charge of tampering with electricity meters.

They made no plea and were remanded in custody.

There were also significant recoveries in Dumfries, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Aberdeen, Inverness and Shetland.

Arrests have been made in relation to the majority of the seizures and enquiries are ongoing into the remaining incidents.

Detective Superintendent Craig Willison from Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: “This year we have already seen some very significant recoveries across the country which demonstrates that no community is safe from the harm caused by illegal drugs.

“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, and our officers are determined to protect members of the public from this type of criminality.

“Anyone who brings drugs into our communities for their own illicit gain should be in absolutely no doubt that we will rigorously pursue every means possible to disrupt this activity – we will find you and bring you to justice.

“Information and support from members of the public is vital to our work and I would encourage anyone with concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”