Driver caught with drugs when he asked police to fetch phone

A motorist was caught with thousands of pounds of illegal drugs after asking police to fetch his mobile phone during a routine check.

Wayne Hastie was being given a ticket for a defective tyre when he asked officers to get the device from his vehicle.

However police spotted an open carrier bag in the car, which was found to contain almost a kilo of cannabis resin.

Officials believe the haul to be worth up to £4,000.

Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall told Perth Sheriff Court: “The accused was pulled over at a layby by Broxden Roundabout for a routine vehicle and documents check.

“He appeared nervous at that time and police found cannabis resin in the rear passenger footwell in a carrier bag which was partially open.

“The bag contained 10 100g blocks of cannabis resin.”

She added that police officers later carried out a search at a property in Glenrothes and recovered £200 of amphetamine, which the accused admitted was for his personal use.

Hastie’s solicitor said the offence was not the sort of thing the 38-year-old would normally be involved in.

He said: “Police stopped the vehicle and found a defect with one tyre. They were issuing a fixed penalty when he asked police to get his mobile phone because he was hoping to give them a contact number.

“Because he’s asked them to do that they’ve gone into the car and found the bag with cannabis resin.”

Hastie, of Lossiemouth, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis at Broxden and to possessing amphetamine in Glenrothes in April last year. Sentence was deferred for reports.