Grampian Police have launched a major crackdown on street level drug dealers in the North-East.

The undercover Operation Franklin targeted street level dealers in a bid to make the area too hostile for drug pushers to operate.

A 60-strong team of officers armed with search warrants hit addresses in Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Banff.

Detective Inspector Stewart Kidd, who is leading the operation, said: "A total of 13 people have died as a direct result of drug abuse in these communities in the last 18 months alone.

"Drug dealing creates a climate of fear and law-abiding citizens are fed up with it and the related anti-social behaviour which blights communities.

"Our message is clear - we will not tolerate drug dealing in Grampian and the misery it brings not only to users, but to entire communities.

"We will disrupt this evil trade as much as possible and make the north east a hostile and unproductive environment for those who choose to deal in illegal drugs."

After the enforcement phase of the operation, which relies on intensive intelligence work, high-visibility patrols and house to house visits will be carried out in the target areas to reassure the public.

The force will also continue to work with local partners like the NHS and local authorities to improve community safety, promote routes out of drug use and ultimately achieve a reduction in demand for illegal drugs.

Aberdeenshire Division Chief Inspector Gerry Cronin said: "No community is untouched by drugs and the scale of the problem requires a concerted effort from everyone.

"That's why Grampian Police is committed to working alongside our partners to reduce the demand for - as well as the supply of - controlled drugs in Buchan and the Banff and Buchan areas.

"Together with our partners, who also include the nationwide Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and the Scottish Police Services Authority, we are united in our efforts to support law-abiding people and helping them to create safer, healthier and stronger communities.

"Operation Franklin has relied on good intelligence work - and we hope it will encourage even more people to come forward and tell us about drug dealers in their areas so we can target them as well."