Glasgow police arrested and charged 20 people over drug offences and dealing as part of a crime crackdown, which saw new streets added to an exclusion zone.
The operation, which targeted Bridge Street and Carlton Place south of the river and the St Enoch area, also led to 26 men and women being charged over anti-social behaviour including carrying weapons.
In total 46 men and women aged between 16 and 28 have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal after the operation, which ran between September 27 to November 20.
READ MORE: Lanarkshire BMW owner says ‘miracles do happen’ as car stolen while defrosting found
READ MORE: ‘Dishonest’ Glasgow carer failed to report fall that broke vulnerable wheelchair user’s shoulder
Suspects are now banned from entering Carlton Place, Bridge Street and the surrounding area as the neighbourhood has been added to the city centre exclusion zone. There is also a continued police presence in the neighbourhood.
We have previously reported how a police inspector warned that teens were being forced to sell drugs in the streets and fake delivery workers acted as spotters.
Local councillor Soryia Siddique has welcomed the progress after Police Scotland shared an update with her on action taking place.
Join Glasgow Live’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages
A police spokeswoman said: “From Friday, 27 September to 20 November, 2024 officers in Glasgow carried out an operation to address concerns regarding drug dealing and anti-social behaviour around the Bridge Street, Carlton Place and St Enoch areas.
As a result, a total of 46 men and women aged between 16 and 28 years were reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Twenty of those people were arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences including drug dealing. The other 26 men and women were charged in connection with a number of offences of anti-social behaviour including possession of offensive weapons.
“All of those arrested in connection with drug dealing offences are due to appear in court at a later date and have bail conditions excluding them from entering the city centre.”
Southside Central councillor Siddique, Labour, said: “I welcome the progress update from Police Scotland with regards to Bridge Street and Carlton Place.
“Hopefully with further focus and partnership working with local communities and stakeholders, there will be further progress and communities will benefit from feeling safer and better. This should be complemented by the commitments to environmental improvements by Glasgow City Council.”
Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox