Eight people have been arrested in connection with an alleged drug operation between Scotland and Merseyside worth millions of pounds.

National Crime Agency (NCA) officers arrested six people at addresses across Merseyside, supported by Merseyside Police a seventh in Glasgow assisted by Police Scotland, and the eighth was in prison.

Officers believe they were planning to produce large quantities of amphetamine in Scotland, as well as trafficking heroin to Merseyside.

The group, aged between 34 and 66, remain in custody.

It follows the recovery of 620kg of a substance used to create amphetamine in December, which saw two men arrested after arriving on a flight from Turkey.

Both were later released under investigation.

Ian McConnell, NCA Operations Manager, said: “Producing amphetamine on an industrial scale would have devastating consequences for the community – drug trafficking thrives on inciting violence, spreading fear and exploiting vulnerable children and adults for criminal gain.

“Today’s action has led to the arrest of eight suspected members of an organised crime group and will continue to target those at the top of the drug market chain, to make their businesses unviable and keep people safe.”

The NCA said the recovery was worth “millions of pounds”.