FMQs: Hundreds of drug dealers 'walking free' over claims of court delays

John Swinney is under pressure over claims nearly 600 drug dealers went unpunished due to delays in the court system.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said drug suppliers were “walking free” due to the SNP Government’s incompetence.

It was revealed earlier this year that there were 607 suspected drug deaths in the first half of 2025.

The toll confirms Scotland as the drugs death capital of Europe.

At First Minister’s Questions, Sarwar contrasted the lack of treatment for drug users with dealers not facing justice.

He said: “New figures show that 573 charges for drug dealing had to be dropped in the last three years because the cases were time barred before reaching court."

“Hundreds of those accused of drug dealing simply walking free, evading justice, not because they were found innocent, but because of this government's incompetence.

“People selling poison to their communities, given the green light to destroy lives because John Swinney and his tired government can't run a court system that sends drug dealers to prison.”

Read more: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/hundreds-drug-dealers-walking-free-36039728

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