Nabbed with heroin on M8 in £56k sting

A man was caught with heroin worth £56,000 after a police surveillance operation.

The package containing the Class A drug was found in a car being driven by Gareth Rae on the M8.

Rae, of Hadrian Terrace, Motherwell, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court to admit being concerned in the supply of heroin on February 21. The charge was aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.

Scott King, prosecuting, said police had been keeping watch on “a number of individuals”. Rae (33) was not a target, but officers saw him and another man arrive at a house in Muirhead Drive, Newarthill, on February 21.

King told the court: “Later the pair were seen to leave that property.

“The accused was in possession of an item which he put on the back seat of the car.

“Officers suspected a drugs transaction had taken place.

“The car was stopped as it travelled east on the M8 near Bathgate.

“A taped package was found. This contained half a kilo of 16 per cent heroin with a potential street value of £56,260.

“Rae made no comment throughout a police interview.”

Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said that while Rae has a long list of previous convictions only one is drugs-related.

But he added: “He knows this is a serious matter and there is one very likely outcome.”

Sheriff Thomas Millar called for background reports and deferred sentence until January 30.

Rae remains on bail meantime.