The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Cocaine stash worth £24k in dealer’s car
Adrug dealer was caught driving through Perth with £24,000 worth of cocaine hidden in his car.
Police recognised the Vauxhall Astra driven by Joseph Elvin as a vehicle used by a known gang of organised criminals.
Elvin was pulled over outside Mcdiarmid Park as he drove along the city’s Crieff Road in June 2019.
His car was searched and two blocks of class-a cocaine were found stashed inside the driver’s door.
Investigators also found tell-tale text messages on two phones recovered from the vehicle.
Elvin, of Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted being concerned in the supply of the drug between June 3 and June 18, 2019.
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said the car was spotted by police just after 6pm on June 18.
Mr Sweeney said it was then taken to Perth Police Station and police found two knotted polythene bags containing blocks of white powder – weighing 124g and 129g – hidden under the electric window button on the driver’s door.
Two mobile phones were also recovered from the front of the vehicle.
Elvin was interviewed by police that evening.
“He gave a general no comment interview and denied all knowledge of the articles recovered,” said Mr Sweeney.
“He said he was asked to take the car to Perth and attempt to sell the vehicle.
“From the mobile phones recovered there were conversations with a contact who appears to have given the accused an instruction for collecting and delivering different quantities of unspecified items.”
Mr Sweeney told the court: “The two blocks together would have a value of about £8,000, with a maximum potential illicit value of between £12,000 and £24,000, based on being sub-divided into single gram deals.
“There was also DNA from the accused on both of the blocks.”
Solicitor Gail Campbell urged the court to release her client on bail.
“He is someone who has led a pretty exemplary life, and has worked for various financial institutions including Clydesdale Bank and Direct Line.
“But things fell apart with his separation from his long-term partner.”
She said after a period of unemployment, her client had recently gained a job as a delivery driver.
“This is work that has benefited his mental health considerably.
Sheriff William Wood told Elvin: “The quantity of drugs recovered are significant and there were mobile phones found, which you denied knowledge of, nor offered an innocent explanation for.
“In these circumstances, it seems to me that it is appropriate you are remanded in custody while reports are prepared.”
Elvin will return to court for sentencing on June 1.