Dealer with secret vault pointed finger at sister

Offender tried to shift blame over drugs hidden in child’s bedroom

A Dundee drug dealer who was caught with more than £16,000 in cash in a secret vault, tried to blame his own sister for the crime.

Steven Towers, 27, a prisoner at HMP Perth, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine after officers raided his sibling’s home at Mains Drive on May 31.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard officers executed a search warrant after initially finding Towers with £885 in cash.

While searching the property, they found drugs hidden in a child’s bedroom, as well as two large bags stuffed with money.

Depute fiscal Charmaine Gilmartin told Dundee Sheriff Court only Towers’ sister Emma Whyte and another, female Pamela Mills, were in the property at the time.

He said: “Officers found bags of powder underneath a duvet in a child’s bedroom. This was later tested and was found to be cocaine.

“Floorboards of the property were lifted and a vast open space was discovered underneath.

“Police climbed down and found two plastic bags containing a substantial amount of money, totalling £16,810.

“Various other evidence was found including tick-lists and a shoebox with the accused’s fingerprints on it, containing cocaine.”

A total of 23.7g of cocaine valued at £2,300 was found in the property while cannabis valued at £110 was also found.

The court heard Towers had sent texts to his sister offering her money to dispose of the drugs and other evidence, including a set of scales.

However, when cautioned and charged, he told officers the drugs belonged to his sister. He also claimed the cash was for a deposit for a dog and money for a holiday.

A defence agent acting on behalf of Towers said: “Clearly a report will be required ahead of sentencing because of his history of offending.

“Although the value of drugs found is not among the highest this court has seen, the amount of money and paraphernalia found would clearly indicate this is an ongoing operation.

“Mr Towers knows this and has been on bail throughout this case without any issues. He has ongoing issues with anxiety and depression.

“He also has two children aged two and nine. He is anxious to perhaps break to them the news of what is likely to be his imprisonment for some time.”

Towers admitted two charges in relation to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine, as well as attempting to pervert the court of justice.

Sheriff Thomas Hughes remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing on April 14. Whyte was acquitted of attempting to pervert the court of justice after tendering a not guilty plea.

Mills was acquitted after tendering not guilty pleas to two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.