RUNAWAY HASH GANGSTER IS SNARED
A gang member who escaped justice after being involved in a £ 430,000 cannabis factory is finally behind bars.
Darren Chalmers was part of a mob who ran a huge cannabis factory from a converted office block in Glasgow Road, Paisley.
The sophisticated setup, within
walking distance of Paisley police office and Paisley Grammar School, was spread over three floors in 13 different rooms.
Police went on to seize £ 430,800 of cannabis plants.
The gang helped get themselves caught after going for a pizza nearby.
Four men were jailed for a total of 18 years in September after they admitted being involved.
Chalmers, also of Paisley, should have joined them in the dock, but a warrant was issued after he failed to show.
The 27 year-old was eventually nabbed and hauled back to the High Court in Glasgow.
He pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis as well as the earlier failure to appear at court.
Lord Arthurson remanded Chalmers in custody pending sentencing in the New Year.
Police had raided the building in January 2018 immediately noticing a strong stench of cannabis.
Officers believed the drug operation would have cost £50,000 to set up.
Fans, power sockets, lighting and other equipment had been fitted.
Police got CCTV from a local Pizza Hut as well as the nearby Lagoon Leisure Centre.
Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said: “The footage links the accused to the scene.”
The court heard Chalmers accepted responsibility for a number of the cannabis plants found growing there.
No details were revealed of where he had been after the earlier court no-show.
Sentencing was deferred for reports until January 14 in Edinburgh.
Brian Scally, 37, Ian Matthews, 37, David Kerr, 30, and James Robertson, 39, were jailed earlier this year for their roles in the gang.