Brothers jailed as crack cocaine lab found in flat

Two brothers have been jailed for their roles in an organised crime gang’s drug operation which saw an Aberdeen flat taken over and used to “cook up” crack cocaine.

Lewis and Connor Bayne were part of the Liverpoolbased gang running a sophisticated cocaine and heroin-dealing operation in the north-east.

Lewis Bayne, 22, was in charge of a mobile used to “advertise” drugs for sale and facilitate and arrange deals.

Meanwhile, sibling Connor Bayne, 26, was sent up to “mind the shop” in Aberdeen, where he was caught in a “cuckooed” flat on King’s Crescent being used as a makeshift crack cocaine lab.

“Cuckooing” is a term used to describe someone having their home taken over by an organised crime gang for the purposes of using the premises, usually to deal or store drugs.

Connor Bayne’s fingerprints were also found on parcels of drugs posted to the north-east.

The charges also carried the aggravation of being connected with serious organised crime.

Defence agent Leonard Burkinshaw, representing Connor Bayne, said: “He was sent up to effectively mind the shop in Aberdeen.”

Solicitor Andrew Ormiston said Lewis Bayne was in a similar set of circumstances to his brother.

Sheriff Graham Buchanan told the brothers: “It’s been said many times in the courts here in Aberdeen that where people become involved in the supplying of addictive, class A drugs such as diamorphine and cocaine, the strong likelihood is that they will receive custodial sentences.

“Furthermore, it’s also been indicated that people who come from other parts of the country in order to direct drug operations in Aberdeen are to be strongly discouraged.

“It’s well-known there’s a strong link between Liverpool and Aberdeen in relation to the activities of organised crime groups involved in the supplying of drugs in this part of the country.”

Sheriff Buchanan highlighted Connor Bayne having a “highly significant” previous conviction in England and jailed him for four years and six months.

Noting Lewis Bayne’s age and lack of record, the sheriff jailed him for 20 months.

BROTHERS IN HARM: Lewis, left, and Connor.