Police Scotland’s Drug Detection Dog Seizes 2,000 Tablets in Western Isles
by Peter Urpeth, Local Democracy Reporter
The newly appointed Commander of Police Scotland in the Western Isles, has confirmed that since March 2025, Viv, the drug detection dog and handler PC Calum MacDonald, have taken two thousand ‘tablets’ off the streets through their detection work within the islands’ postal and delivery services, monitoring at Cal Mac ferry terminals, and in proactive drug search warrants.
Confirming the figures to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Safety Board when it met last week, newly appointed Commander, Chief Inspector Ross McCartney, said the haul was made up of approximately 300gs of cannabis and 50gs of cocaine, along with Ecstasy tabs, and a quantity of ‘prescribed’ medication, “bought online from non-reputable sources.”
CI McCartney praised the work of the dog and its handler, saying the team were “an absolutely invaluable asset,” and adding that Police Scotland had secured two-year funding for the service from the Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership, and were currently looking at ways to secure future funding.
Apart from conducting searches in public places and place of work, Viv, a two-year-old Cocker Spaniel, will also help to deliver drug education in schools.
Commenting when Viv joined the islands’ constabulary earlier this year, former Western Isles Commander, Chief Inspector Jane MacKenzie said:
“Police dogs and animals are a hugely important part of policing and our policing family. They make a vital contribution to keeping people safe and deterring crime across Scotland and beyond.
“Searches by humans can be limited and Viv’s enhanced smelling capabilities will make finding concealed drugs easier. She will also be available to schools, colleges and places of work to help deliver anti-drug messaging as well as proactively stopping illegal drugs from reaching our communities.”
BBC LDRS
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