£145,000 worth of drugs in man’s car
A young dad was caught with amphetamine worth £145,000 just days after police found weapons in his car.
Stuart McGowan, of Shand Street, Wishaw, was jailed for three years and eight months at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.
The 28-year-old admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine in Greenfield Drive, Wishaw, while on bail on May 27 last year.
McGowan claimed he agreed to act as a courier for dealers after running up a drug debt.
However, Sheriff Thomas Millar told him:“This was a substantial quantity of drugs and the value is very high. With regard to the informaton before me that you were a courier, that has to be discouraged.”
Paula Russell, prosecuting, said McGowan’s vehicle was stopped by police about 4.20pm. She told the court:“Officers spoke to the accused and there was a strong chemical-like smell emanating from the vehicle.
“A search was carried out and a total of 14.52 kilograms of amphetamine was recovered. Its wholesale value was £27,000, but if sub-divided into individual deals it would be worth £145,000.”
McGowan had been freed on bail at the same court on May 11 in relation to the weapons charges.
He admitted unlawful possession of a knife and a machete and driving without insurance on May 10.
Ms Russell said police“had cause to stop his car”in Belhaven Terrace, Wishaw. McGowan got out and ran off, but was caught after a short chase.
She explained:“He told the officers he had bought the car only a few days before.
“Immediately obvious, in open view, was a lockback knife while a machete was recovered from the driver’s seat.”
Defence agent Stephen MacBride said McGowan’s position was the blades were in the car when he bought it.
The solicitor added:“He should have removed them before he drove the vehicle but didn’t do so.”
Mr MacBride said his client, who has a son aged four, has acknowledged his drug addiction and sought help from his GP.
McGowan also admitted breaching a bail night curfew three times in December.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Millar noted he has a previous conviction for carrying a blade for which he was jailed.
The sheriff also pointed out that this was his seventh conviction for driving without insurance and banned him from driving for three years on that charge, branding him“a danger to the public”.