Young English drug mules caught in Arbroath with haul

COURT: 16-year-old and woman, 20, sent to detention for their part in trafficking

Two English drug mules who were sent to Angus by criminal “masterminds” have been detained.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard a 16-yearold, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was “put on a train” from Birmingham to Arbroath this year with more than £1,000 worth of heroin.

He met Dudley woman Chloe Jones, 20, who was caught with almost £5,000 worth of cocaine during a bust in the town.

The drugs were found in a raid on Arbirlot Road, Arbroath, by Tayside officers.

Both were sentenced to eight months in young offenders’ institutions, with a sheriff describing the haul as “very significant”.

For the 16-year-old, solicitor Billy Rennie said: “They are in no way the masterminds of this operation.

“He was in Birmingham dealing with criminals and was told to go to Arbroath, with no idea where that was, was put on a train and told who to meet.

“He is 16 years old and capable in a street sense, but not otherwise. This was not orchestrated in any sense by (the boy) or his co-accused, who he hadn’t met before.”

For Jones, Lynne Sturrock said: “She has no previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the offence.

“She has been remanded for 111 days since the outset of this case. It will be her intention to return down south after this matter.

“She’s a very articulate young woman and intends to re-enter the workforce. There is a suggestion of being able to carry out unpaid work on her return down south.”

Sheriff Gregor Murray told Jones, of Waverley Street, Dudley: “I take into account that you are a first offender, and there are signs you can get your life back on track. But this was a very significant amount of cocaine and I find there is no alternative to custody.”

He told the 16-year-old: “You have a very significant record and totting up of offences in both Scotland and England.

“You chose to become involved in the supply of drugs but I take into account you were not the mastermind.”

Jones admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine on Arbirlot Road while on bail on January 5 this year, and of breaching an earlier bail by entering Arbroath on the same date.

The 16-year-old admitted supplying diamorphine at the same address and date, while on bail.

He was in Birmingham dealing with criminals and was told togoto Arbroath, with no idea where that was, was put on a train and told who to meet. SOLICITOR BILLY RENNIE