Moray Police Scotland stop-and-search operations snare dozens of drug carriers - including one in Forres as young as 14 and another in Buckie who was only 13

Children as young as 13 were caught carrying drugs on Moray streets by police stop-and-search teams, new figures have revealed.

The data, which covers a six-month period from April to September last year, was released in the force's latest year-to-date report for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

And the figures revealed that almost 130 people of all ages were searched by officers in communities across Moray during that time - with 38 resulting in 'positive' results.

Among those positive results, 13 people were caught carrying Class A drugs, and 26 were found to have Class B on them.

One weapon, described as a "blunt instrument" was also recovered, as too was one incident of stolen property.

Among those caught with drugs were a 13-year-old boy in Buckie and a 14-year-old boy in Forres - both of whom had Class B products in their possession.

A number of other teens were also found to have Class A and B drugs on them.

In Forres there were seven positive searches, all of which were for Class B drugs and involved people of various ages - although one of them was just 14 and another was 16 years old.

In Elgin City South, 12 people were found to have drugs on them - with one possessing Class A and B. Of the other 11, six were carrying Class A and five had Class B. One of those with Class A drugs was only 18 years old, while 16 and 17-year-olds were among those found with Class B.

Elgin City North recorded three positive searches - one for Class A, one for Class B, and another for possession of a "blunt instrument" weapon.

Buckie returned 11 positive searches, four for Class A drugs, six for Class B, and one person who was found with stolen property.

The remaining positive searches included three in Fochabers & Lhanbryde (one for Class A and two with Class B), one Class B recovery in Speyside Glenlivet, and two with Class B in Keith & Cullen.