Scotland: Police have arrested 36 people during a large-scale operation targeting suspected human trafficking and organised criminal activity across several parts of Scotland.

The coordinated enforcement action involved around 300 police officers who carried out raids at 47 properties in Glasgow, Falkirk, Dundee and other locations.

The operation focused on an alleged organised crime network suspected of exploiting vulnerable people and operating across different parts of the United Kingdom. Investigators said the network was believed to have links to individuals from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.

During the raids, officers also discovered 14 suspected cannabis cultivation sites. Police additionally identified a number of people who may have been victims of trafficking and exploitation.

The operation was developed following a lengthy investigation involving specialist officers and partner agencies. Authorities said the scale of the action reflected the complexity of the suspected criminal network and the need to coordinate searches and arrests across multiple locations.

Human trafficking investigations can involve a range of alleged offences, including exploitation for forced labour, criminal activity and other forms of abuse. Police are continuing to assess the circumstances of people encountered during the operation to determine whether they may require protection and specialist support.

The discovery of cannabis cultivation sites has added another dimension to the investigation. Officers are examining whether the drug-related activity was connected to the wider organised crime network under investigation.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of all those arrested or provided a complete breakdown of the allegations facing each individual. Arrest does not establish guilt, and the suspects remain subject to the legal process.

Investigators are expected to continue examining financial records, communications, property evidence and other material recovered during the searches. Further arrests or charges could follow as detectives analyse the evidence gathered during the operation.

Police have described the enforcement action as a major step in disrupting suspected organised criminal activity and protecting people who may have been subjected to exploitation.

The investigation remains active, with specialist officers continuing to work through evidence collected from properties across Scotland.