A gas engineer was caught red-handed collecting blocks of cocaine in Paisley - worth £2.4million.
Allan Ferguson, 24, was tailed covertly in a lockdown sting.
He used his Ford Transit van to pick-up the 20kg of cocaine from another motorist.
The transfer happened in a car park on August 18 last year before Ferguson was stopped in Dee Drive, Foxbar.
A raid of his parents’ home later that day recovered more cocaine, as well as a taser from a locked safe.
Self-employed Ferguson later claimed he took the decision to “earn money” from “career criminals” due to a lack of income while in lockdown.
Ferguson pled guilty yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
The offence was aggravated by a connection to organised crime.
Ferguson also admitted possession of a stun gun.
The court heard police received a tip-off about a Ford Transit van in Paisley with a quantity of drugs on board.
Prosecutor Steven Borthwick said: “On the date in question he was put under police surveillance.”
Ferguson was seen collecting a phone before making a call from the van.
A Volkswagen Golf then entered the car park and parked near Ferguson.
Mr Borthwick said: “Both men exited their vehicles and Ferguson opened the shutter doors of the van.
“Ferguson received an orange plastic bag and a green bag.
“He put both bags in the van and the driver of the Golf drove off.”
Officers stopped Ferguson, who was taken to a police station to be searched.
A total of 18 blocks of white powder and three mobile phones were found in the car.
Ferguson’s family house in Clydebank was raided later that day.
A total of two blocks of white powder, a black taser, as well as £2,950 in mixed notes were recovered from a safe in his bedroom.
Testing revealed four blocks that were recovered were cocaine with up to 54% purity.
Mr Ferguson said: “The 20 kilos recovered in total, if sold in one gram deals, have the potential street value of between £2million and £2.4million.”
The taser was found to be in working order and produced “visible and audible sparks” when operated.
Tony Lenehan, defending, told the court: “During lockdown his ability to earn money came to an end and his outgoings didn’t.
“He is a recreational cocaine user and was in communication with people who ordinarily are career criminals.
“He took the decision to earn money.”
It was revealed Ferguson’s previous conviction was a football aggravated assault in 2018 and he was fined £450.
Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by judge Lord Sandison.
He said: “You pled guilty to two serious offences.
“This is very unfortunate to see someone with a limited record in court today for these type of offences.
“It has been explained you will face a substantial custodial sentence.”
Ferguson was remanded in custody.
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