THE number of cannabis plants seized in drugs raids by police has nearly doubled in the past six years, it was revealed last night.

THE number of cannabis plants seized in drugs raids by police has nearly doubled in the past six years, it was revealed last night.

Figures released by the Scottish Executive show that in 1999-2000, Scotland's eight police forces seized 93 of the plants. By 2005-6, that figure had gone up to 181.

The increase was greatest in Strathclyde, where seizures trebled, from 21 to 64.

Tory justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell, whose parliamentary question led to the publication of the figures, said they were "a wake-up call" about how readily cannabis was available on the streets.

She said: "Clearly, the efforts of the Lib-Lab pact's Know the Score campaign has failed to deal with drugs abuse over the last eight years. In addition, the downgrading of cannabis has added to the problem.

"The question now for the SNP is what does it intend to do to address this escalating problem?"

Ten years ago, just 10% of all cannabis sold in Britain was cultivated in the country. It is now 60%. Experts also warn home-grown varieties of cannabis, including skunk, can be stronger and more dangerous than hash smuggled into the country.