Ex-police officer supplied drugs

Norden was sacked from Strathclyde Police for possessing cocaine

A former police officer has been found guilty of supplying amphetamines across the west of Scotland after a six-month undercover surveillance operation.

Michael Norden and co-accused James Miller were convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of dealing in the drugs between March and October last year.

The men were watched by police as part of Operation Aquarius during meetings at an industrial estate near Glasgow.

They were remanded in custody awaiting sentence, along with seven other men.

During a five-week trial the court was told Norden, 35, from Glasgow, and Miller, 51, from Renfrew, were the main players in supplying amphetamine in Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.

Both men face a further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Cash seized

Norden, who was dismissed from Strathclyde Police in 2005 for possession of cocaine, and Miller were watched as they met five times at the Hillington industrial estate.

Police stopped Miller on the M8 after the last meeting and seized £25,000 in cash he had been handed by Norden. Miller claimed the cash was to buy a car.

When they searched Miller's home they found and confiscated £17,000 worth of notes which had been stuffed in cushions.

They also discovered a list of money owed to him and a law book on the proceeds of crime.

Just weeks after the cash was seized, Miller - who was claiming income support - paid out £12,000 in cash as a down payment for a piece of land in Lanarkshire.

Miller was stopped by police officers on the M8 after meeting with Norden

The court heard Norden was claiming incapacity benefit.

Prosecutor Michael Meehan told the jury the case against the two men was circumstantial, but compelling.

The court was told Miller was seen by police officers emptying the shelves of a Morrisons supermarket in Paisley of glucose, which is used as a cutting agent for amphetamine.

Digital scales stained with drugs were found at stables he owned.

Seven other men arrested during the operation are also awaiting sentence.

A tenth man, Gordon Hendry, was cleared of being involved in the supply of heroin after the jury returned a not proven verdict.