Crime gang member is jailed after £1.6m of cocaine is seized
ACRIME gang member has been jailed for six years after police seized £1.6 million of cocaine. John Gurie was held in April 2020 after raids on his home, van and lock-up garage in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire.
A judge heard how the 38-yearold plasterer got involved after the pandemic affected his job.
Detectives had kept tabs on the Gurie during the probe into an underworld mob.
Officers found drugs had been hidden in a secret compartment in the Citroen Berlingo van.
Gurie had also been in contact with associates using an encrypted mobile phone.
He was locked up at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Lady Stacey said it was “evident the planning and organisation” involved in the crime.
She told Gurie: “You played a significant role in this operation.”
The judge added the jail-term would have been eight years, but for the guilty plea.
Prosecutor Angela Gray earlier said Gurie had been monitored as part of the investigation into a West of Scotland crime gang.
He was detained on April 21 2020 near his home in East Kilbride.
Police initially searched the property and found 3kg of cocaine in a cupboard.
The van was found parked outside the lock-up near Gurie’s home.
Miss Gray: “The vehicle was found to have been adapted. It had a complex hydraulic hide which opened with a key fo b.
“This sort of concealed compartment is typically used by organised crime groups for transporting controlled drugs.”
Police discovered a further 11kg of cocaine stashed there. A hydraulic press – used to package drugs – was found in the lock-up.
Miss Gray said the cocaine had a purity of up to 82% and a potential value of between £1.4m and £1.6m.
Data was recovered on the encrypted phone linking it to Gurie.
This included photos of illegal consignments, discussion on how to operate the ‘hide’ in the van and moving the drugs.
The advocate depute: “Gurie was part of an organised crime group that is accepted.”
Billy Lavelle, defending, said the covid lockdown had seen Gurie’s work “run down to a trickle”.
The lawyer added: “He stupidly agreed to get involved in this.”