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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Arrests in US drug supply inquiry | Arrests in US drug supply inquiry |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A couple have been arrested in connection with an international inquiry into illegal drug production. | |
| Officers from Central Scotland Police made the arrests in Bo'ness, near Falkirk, on behalf of the US Drug Enforcement Agency. | Officers from Central Scotland Police made the arrests in Bo'ness, near Falkirk, on behalf of the US Drug Enforcement Agency. |
| Brian Howes, 43, from Middlesbrough, and 28-year-old Kerry Ann Shanks, from Bo'ness are facing extradition. | Brian Howes, 43, from Middlesbrough, and 28-year-old Kerry Ann Shanks, from Bo'ness are facing extradition. |
| Cleveland Police and the Scottish force have been involved in a two-year probe into Crystal Meth production. | Cleveland Police and the Scottish force have been involved in a two-year probe into Crystal Meth production. |
| The investigation focused on the alleged supply of chemicals involved in production of the synthetic drug - also known as methamphetamine - to individuals in the US, Europe and Australia. | The investigation focused on the alleged supply of chemicals involved in production of the synthetic drug - also known as methamphetamine - to individuals in the US, Europe and Australia. |
| Howes and Shanks were arrested today over the alleged supply of chemicals to individuals believed to be involved in the production of methamphetamine Det Supt Dave DuffeyCleveland Police | Howes and Shanks were arrested today over the alleged supply of chemicals to individuals believed to be involved in the production of methamphetamine Det Supt Dave DuffeyCleveland Police |
| As well as the arrests, police also swooped on business addresses in Bo'ness. | As well as the arrests, police also swooped on business addresses in Bo'ness. |
| A major police operation in June, involving up to 250 officers, saw a raid on the couple's alleged distribution centre in Grangemouth. | A major police operation in June, involving up to 250 officers, saw a raid on the couple's alleged distribution centre in Grangemouth. |
| Mr Howes and Ms Shanks, who police said had lived for some time in Cleveland, are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, in relation to extradition proceedings. | Mr Howes and Ms Shanks, who police said had lived for some time in Cleveland, are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, in relation to extradition proceedings. |
| Det Supt Dave Duffey, of Cleveland Police, said: "This has been a complex and wide-ranging investigation which first began two years ago. | Det Supt Dave Duffey, of Cleveland Police, said: "This has been a complex and wide-ranging investigation which first began two years ago. |
| 'Complex investigation' | 'Complex investigation' |
| "Howes and Shanks were arrested today over the alleged supply of chemicals to individuals believed to be involved in the production of methamphetamine." | "Howes and Shanks were arrested today over the alleged supply of chemicals to individuals believed to be involved in the production of methamphetamine." |
| Det Supt Allan Moffat, of Central Scotland Police, moved to reassure the public that there was no danger to the community. | Det Supt Allan Moffat, of Central Scotland Police, moved to reassure the public that there was no danger to the community. |
| "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation which has involved a number of agencies," he said. | "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation which has involved a number of agencies," he said. |
| Crystal Meth, a popular dance culture drug, was recently reclassified as a class A substance in the UK in an attempt to clamp down on its use. | Crystal Meth, a popular dance culture drug, was recently reclassified as a class A substance in the UK in an attempt to clamp down on its use. |
| Its use can lead to paranoia, violent behaviour, kidney failure and internal bleeding. | Its use can lead to paranoia, violent behaviour, kidney failure and internal bleeding. |