BRAZEN gangs in Glasgow are advertising drugs, fake cash and even guns online during the coronavirus lockdown - under the guise of common household items .

A Glasgow Times investigation found dozens of online listings for a range of Class A and Class B drugs.

They are being advertised on the American classifieds site Craigslist – with the cunning criminals using codewords and false headlines to bypass “custom-built filters”.

It comes two weeks after we revealed members of the public were using the ‘services’ section of the website to organise sex meetings with strangers, in clear contradiction of the lockdown restrictions. 

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Revealed: Dozens flout lockdown in Glasgow for sex hook-ups with strangers

The National Crime Agency (NCA) say fewer drugs are available in the UK as a result of the lockdown, making them a valuable commodity for criminals, who can sell them at a higher price. 

But they have had to adapt their tactics in order to avoid detection – swapping to online adverts on pages like Craigslist and social media, doing “drive-by sales”, or letterbox drops to avoid detection. 

Our investigation found 23 adverts from five different dealers posted on the ‘for sale’ section of the listings website in just one week.

In every occasion, the dealers would upload a picture under a headline completely off topic, for example “Queen size mattress & box spring & bed frame - £75”, a "modern dresser", or even a"pair of high end mid century lamps".

But within the advert itself, one example of which is pictures above, the image reveals a cannabis stash, with a list of products available – many including weed, coke (cocaine), ice (methamphetamine), pills, fake currency and even “guns”. 

The customer is then given the usernames of the dealer’s social media accounts and are prompted to get in touch to arrange the deal.

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When approached with our evidence, Police Scotland said they have tools to monitor the tactics by drug dealers and will continue to take action, even during the pandemic.

Superintendent Tim Ross, from the force’s Safer Communities division, said: “Criminals - including those who sell drugs - will attempt to manipulate and exploit any circumstance to their own advantage and the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is no exception.

“Police Scotland is very aware of the tactics, mechanisms and platforms used by drug dealers and we have a range of tools available for monitoring this kind of criminal behaviour.

“The current situation will not prevent us from taking enforcement action and anyone who is aware of drug dealing can provide information by contacting Police Scotland (via 101, or 999 in the event of an emergency), or Crimestoppers.

“Drugs are a significant source of harm in Scotland, bringing misery to individuals, families and communities the length and breadth of the country and we are committed to making Scotland a hostile environment for those involved in this trade.”

Last week, an expert on criminal gangs claimed that drug dealers have resorted to dressing as joggers or using fake NHS ID badges to move around freely during the lockdown - while swapping to online to recruit members and advertise products.

Professor Simon Harding, director of the National Centre for Gang Research (NCGR) at the University of West London, said: “Street gangs are being forced to find new tactics, such as shifting grooming and recruitment online to social media.

“This means young people can become ensnared in dangerous gang activity from their phones while their families have no idea and that is a worry.”

The Glasgow Times has contacted Craigslist for comment.

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