THREE Albanian men have been arrested and charged with being involved in a major drug trafficking operation based in Inverclyde.

The Telegraph understands that the trio are facing an allegation that they have been concerned in the supply of herbal cannabis to the value of half-a-million pounds.

Details of the drugs case emerged after the men appeared in the dock at Greenock Sheriff Court facing serious accusations.

Leon Tosku, 42, Altion Qosla, 44, and Erion Beqiraj, 35, are said to have been operating in both Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire prior to their arrest.

Prosecutors say that the men were caught committing the alleged offence at addresses in Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow, as well as Vanguard Street in Clydebank and elsewhere.

Police officers stepped in and arrested them on September 10 following an investigation into their activities.

Tosku and Beqiraj, of Clydebank, and Qosla, of the London borough of Enfield in England, have made no plea to the allegations against them.

They made a brief appearance during a private hearing on petition at the sheriff court.

The men were all allowed bail, with the case against them being continued for further examination.

A date for the next calling of the matter is yet to be fixed.