Nine members of drugs gang jailed

Nine members of a drugs gang who were involved in the illegal supply of amphetamine across the west of Scotland have been jailed for nearly 50 years.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the gang were caught after a six-month undercover operation.

Former Strathclyde policeman, Michael Norden, 36, and James Miller, 51, were each jailed for eight years.

It was claimed they were major players in the supply of amphetamine in Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.

The court heard how police monitored meetings between the pair at Hillington industrial estate, on the outskirts of Glasgow between March and October last year.

Officers eventually stopped Miller on the M8 after a meeting and seized £25,000 in cash.

More money was also found at a house along with digital scales which contained traces of drugs.

Norden and Miller had denied being concerned in the supply of amphetamine but were convicted of a drugs offence after trial.

The Crown successfully argued that the case against the men was circumstantial, but compelling.

During the police operation couriers were also stopped and a drugs factory raided at Kirkmuirhill, in Lanarkshire.

One of the couriers, Steven Park, 30, from Larkhall, Lanarkshire, was jailed for three years and nine months.

Jamie Smith, 25, of Milton, Glasgow, was also jailed for three years and nine months.

Ian Welsh, 47, from Ayr, was jailed for three years.

Thomas Laird, 41, formerly of Holytown, Lanarkshire, was jailed for seven.

Andrew McIlquham, 39 from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, and William Watson, 36, of Kirkmuirhill, Lanarkshire, were each jailed for five years.

John Millar, 47, of Springburn, Glasgow, was jailed for five and a half years.

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