A dog breeder unmasked as a drug dealer has been locked up for almost five years.
Scott Bennett was held after a raid at his Platinum Pet Care and K9 Fertility company in Lanarkshire .
Police - initially alerted to animal welfare concerns there - discovered £23,000 of cocaine and £49,250 of cannabis in an office.
A judge heard how Bennett had been using the Encrochat phone network once favoured by criminals to discuss cash he owed to fellow suspected dealers.
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The 41 year-old was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
He had previously admitted at a hearing in Edinburgh to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis between March and October 2020.
Lord Mulholland jailed him for four years and eight months cutting the term from seven years due to the guilty plea.
The judge said: "You used an encrypted phone to try and hide your drug trafficking.
"You were no minor player. You will now pay the price for your offending."
Bennett was also hit with a three year Serious Crime Prevention Order - known as a 'Super-Asbo' - designed to tackle and monitor criminals when freed from prison.
He further faces a later hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The court previously heard how Bennett had a user name of "Original Syrup" on Encrochat - the phone network smashed by French authorities leading to a series of prosecutions.
Prosecutor Angela Gray told how Bennett's encrypted phone and regular mobile were analysed.
Miss Gray: "Within messages there is evidence of a significant exchange of both drugs and money all involving Bennett.
"For example, there is reference to 'Original Syrup" owing £53,000 to somebody called 'Landcleaner'.
"There is another conversation where 'Original Syrup' offers cocaine for £40,000 and advises that he is in a deficit of £50,000."
The court earlier heard how Bennett already had a string of convictions including for drugs, assault and fraud.
His QC John Scullion today said Bennett wanted to "change the lifestyle" which "brought him to the high court" when he is freed.
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