Dundee Woman Forced to Smoke Crack

A woman, referred to as Laura, has shared her traumatic experience of being held captive in her own home in Dundee, where she was forced to smoke crack cocaine at knifepoint by a couple who initially befriended her. In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Laura recounted how the couple stole her phone and bank cards, leaving her financially vulnerable and trapped. She described being tied up and threatened, stating, "I was hallucinating, and I couldn't say no because I was bound and force-fed it." Laura's ordeal is a stark example of "cuckooing," a term used to describe the takeover of a person's home for criminal activities, including drug dealing and sex work. She revealed that another neighbor had also fallen victim to the same couple, highlighting the pervasive nature of this crime in her community. Laura expressed her fear of leaving her home, stating, "I was too frightened to try and leave the house." In response to the growing issue of cuckooing, local organizations like Positive Steps are stepping in to assist victims in finding new homes and escaping their situations. Sergeant Elise Wilson, who collaborates with these organizations, emphasized the importance of community awareness in uncovering such crimes. Laura's story serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of misplaced trust and the vulnerability of individuals in similar circumstances.