Police have arrested a man in connection with drugs and firearms offences following a search of a house in the Gracemount area of Edinburgh.Nicholas Malizia and Eve Beattie News Reporter at Daily Record
18:31, 19 Aug 2025Updated 18:37, 19 Aug 2025
NHS Lothian bosses have warned alleged victims
Shocked locals have been caught up in a bogus doctor scandal after claims an Edinburgh man was running a fake mental health clinic and dishing out dangerous prescription drugs.
NHS bosses have urged anyone who visited the so-called clinic to contact their GP “as soon as possible” after fears patients may have been handed addictive medication including diazepam, reports Edinburgh Live.
The warning came as police confirmed a 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with drugs and firearms offences following a raid in the city’s Gracemount area.
Air weapons were seized during the search. He has since been released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A letter shared with victims by the Lothian NHS Board and seen by Edinburgh Live acknowledged “they might be anxious about information” shared with them by police and urged victims to seek medical attention if they had been prescribed drugs.
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The letter reads: “If you are worried about the consultations that you have had with [the suspect] or any tablets/medicines that he has given you, we would recommend that you contact your GP as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
“In particular if you have been taking benzodiazepines (eg diazepam/valium, clonazepam, lorazepam) on a daily basis, we strongly recommend you contact your GP urgently to discuss this due to the risk of you experiencing symptoms by stopping these medicines suddenly.
“Your GP will be able to review the issues and discuss appropriate treatment plans with you and seek specialist advice if necessary.
“As part of the investigation process, we will be communicating with all General Practices across Lothian to make them aware of the concerns raised regarding [the suspect’s] clinic.”
One victim revealed they had spent more than £800 at the clinic before the shocking revelations came to light.
They said: “It is unfortunate that people have potentially come to harm already. The things they mentioned in the letter, they are heavy medications. They can turn people into addicts.
“I’m not surprised at this point. It seems the more we find out about this the more nefarious things seem. I wonder what else will come out. Time will tell.”
Carolyn Wyllie, Director of Public Protection for NHS Lothian said: “We are assisting Police Scotland with their investigations and it would be inappropriate to comment further on an individual case.
“As a precaution, we have contacted patients who may be affected and encourage them to speak directly to their GP if they have concerns.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with drugs and firearm offences following a search of a house in the Gracemount area of Edinburgh on Thursday, 20 February, 2025. Enquiries are continuing.
“He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”