Nine people have been charged for supplying 'significant' amounts of drugs.

Three women aged 16, 17 and 38 and six men, including three 17-year-olds and three in their 20s, were targeted after a series of police tip-offs in the north of Scotland.

Officers from the areas of Keith, Forres and Elgin made the arrests and recovered a number of ecstasy tablets and a quantity of cocaine and cannabis.

Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson said: "Thankfully a significant amount of drugs have been seized which could have ended up in the hands of vulnerable people who do not fully appreciate the serious risks associated with consuming illegal substances.

"The risk of taking any drug, particularly when you don't know exactly what is contained within, is significant.

"Across North-East division officers are committed to tackling the sale and supply of drugs and when specific concerns are raised we increase our enforcement action to address these.

"My message to anyone who is considering taking drugs could also not be clearer - it is just not worth the risk.

"I would encourage anyone with concerns about drug misuse to contact police on 101 so that we can continue to take targeted, preventative action.

"I would also like to express my thanks to all those who have supported this recent activity and to the local communities where action has been taken for their patience."