Dealer had £5000 of cannabis in house

An Airdrie drug dealer was discovered in possession of more than £5000 worth of cannabis.

Peter Fisher, 50, of Wellside Avenue, Thrashbush, pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week to drug dealing at his home last July. His denials of being involved in the production of cannabis and of by-passing his electricity meter were accepted by the Crown.

Prosecutor Agnes Meek said:“On July 20 police attended at the home of the accused and were allowed entry by him.

“He told police there was a bag upstairs that they were looking for. Police obtained a search warrant and a laundry bag was found containing 27 clear bags and another 27 empty clear bags.

“He [Fisher] was taken to Coatbridge police office and interviewed. He made a largely no-comment interview which was terminated.

“The 27 bags all contained herbal material later identified as cannabis. Each bag had a value of between £200 and £400. The total street value was around £5600.”

Mrs Meek then moved for a confiscation order against Fisher in terms of the Proceeds of Crime Act. While in the dock he was served with a statement of information by a police officer.

Defence lawyer Mark Lutton said he would reserve his comments until Fisher’s next court appearance.

Sheriff Petra Collins allowed the statement of information from the Crown to be lodged and ordered the defence to supply answers within 28 days.

Sheriff Collins added:“Given the nature of this offence and the fact you have no previous convictions, I will have to call for background reports.”

Sentence was deferred sentence until June 27 to obtain a full background report and a restriction of liberty assessment. A confiscation hearing was set for the same date and bail was continued.