A fork lift driver who was caught red-handed with more than £400,000 of cocaine in his car was today jailed for three years and four months.
Stephen McLean, 40, from Halfway Cambuslang admitted being concerned in the supply of the drug at junction 4 northbound at Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, on April 4, 2019.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that McLean, got into financial trouble and agreed to drive down to Liverpool and bring the cocaine back to Scotland.
He was snared in a surveillance operation and when his car was searched cocaine with a potential maximum street value of £468,000 was found.
Judge Sean Murphy QC told McLean who appeared by video link from prison: “The explanation given by you is a common one, but in your case it seems more credible. You have held down a steady job and are a family man.
“You did this for short term gain for yourself.
“For the sake of your family you must never become involved in illegal drugs.”
Prosecutor Blair Speed told the court: "Police received information that an Audi was travelling northwards with a substantial amount of controlled drugs. "
The accused was the sole occupant of the car. When it was searched at Motherwell Police Station a cardboard box was found on the back seat.
" The court heard that it contained three kilos of high purity cocaine wrapped inbubble wrap. McLean's DNA was found on the opening edges of the box and on one of the pieces of bubble wrap.
Forensic examiners found that the kilo bags were 81 per cent, 80 per cent and 74 per cent purity.
Mr Speed added: "If the drugs were adulterated to 10 per cent purity and sold as one gram deals the drugs would have a value of £468,000.
"It is agreed the accused's role in the chain of supply was as a courier."
McLean has previous convictions at summary level but has never before served a custodial sentence.
Solicitor advocate Callum Weir said: “Mr McLean was involved for one day as a courier. He says this was his first involvement. I don't think he was the subject of the surveillance. He got himself into financial difficulties and was offered money to courier the drug.”
