Heroin found in tin after police raid flat

HUNDREDS of pounds worth of heroin was found in a home in Maryhill after cops turned up to raid the property. Officers attended the flat on Hathaway Lane on June 26, 2020, in possession of a search warrant.

Allan Buchanan, who was the householder, was the only person within at the time, but Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the class A drugs did not belong to him. This was established by fingerprint tests.

The 33-year-old had been letting a homeless friend stay with him.

But he appeared in court for sentencing last week after previously pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Fiscal depute Jeremy O’Neill said: “A search was conducted. A black tin was located, and the accused was asked if there was a key.

“He replied ‘I keep money in that black box, but I don’t have a key’. A short time later, a polythene bag with 8.5g of brown powder was found within the tin. A further bag of 30.5g of brown powder was found within the tin.

“It was later established to be diamorphine with a value of £800. A set of scales, a teaspoon and two batteries were also found within the tin as well as scissors and polythene bags.”

Buchanan was arrested and taken to Helen Street police office to be interviewed. He denied knowledge of the tin and its contents, including the drugs.

He then told cops he had allowed a homeless friend to stay in his home and it must belong to him but would not provide details of this man.

He was cautioned and charged and made no reply. Meanwhile, the black tin was fingerprint tested. A negative result for the accused’s fingerprints came back and positive results for someone else’s. Buchanan’s lawyer said his client is someone who is “vulnerable and easily led”.

He added: “He finds it difficult to manage friends and acquaintances. The tin didn’t belong to him. He didn’t have a key for it, but he did know drugs were contained within.

“The offence was almost two years ago, and he hasn’t come to the attention of the authorities since then.”

Sheriff Valerie Mays told Buchanan: “This is a serious offence, and it certainly falls within the custody threshold. However, I do take into account you have no previous convictions of this type and have a very limited record.

“Whilst the box was in your house, clearly you had not touched it due to none of your fingerprints being on it. But you did know what was in it. I do think because of these circumstances I can deal with this by alternative to custody.”

He was ordered to be under social work supervision for one year and carry out 135 hours of unpaid work.