TWO POLICE officers involved in a record drugs haul near Stonehaven were honoured yesterday for the role they played.

Constables Sophia Atkinson and Derek Thow were presented with Commander’s Commendation awards by Chief Superintendent Ewan Stewart, head of the Grampian force operational planning and support division.

The Commander’s Commendation is presented when officers perform their duties in a manner significantly above that which would normally be expected.

On January 25 the two constables were patrolling the A90 close to Stonehaven when they stopped a car speeding north towards Aberdeen.

The vehicle had been travelling at over 100 mph.

The driver’s behaviour made the officers suspicious and they questioned him on his journey and destination. Suspecting he might be a drugs courier, they summoned assistance to have his car searched.

As well as money and other drugs, the driver was found to have, what was at the time, the largest haul of crack cocaine recovered in Scotland.

“By their actions and alertness, these officers have contributed significantly to the loud message currently being sent to dealers from drug syndicates in the south of the UK that their business is not welcome in this part of the country,” said Mr Stewart.