Two men have been arrested and charged after police in Edinburgh targeted crime groups selling drugs in the east of the city. One of the men is accused of possessing the recently banned substance mephedrone.

Around 450 grams of diamorphine with an estimated value of £45,000 was discovered in a property in Niddrie Marischal Crescent on Friday April 16.

A 23-year-old man is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

A further search was then undertaken at an address in Niddrie Mill Crescent where officers recovered a personal quantity of mephedrone. A 26-year-old man is scheduled to appear in court for possession of the substance, which is now a Class B drug.

A police spokesman said: "Crime gangs should by now be getting the message that we will not tolerate their illegal operations and will shut them down at any opportunity.

"The wealth of intelligence we receive in relation to drug-related criminal activity is indicative of the attitude of our communities who are tired of these individuals and the affect they have on local area.

"As always, we are grateful to the public for their assistance and would urge anyone with information relating to drugs in their area to come forward.

"We would also like to remind people that mephedrone is now a banned substance and if found in possession of it, you will be arrested and charged with a drugs offence."