| CANNABIS RESIN GANG JAILED FOR 16 YEARS | |
| 31 August 2010 Today at the High Court in Glasgow, a drug dealing gang involved in the supply of £3 million of cannabis resin was sentenced to a combined 16 years in prison. The four men were arrested last year as a result of an intelligence-led investigation by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), codenamed QUARTZ. They pleaded guilty to drugs charges earlier this month. Those sentenced today are: John McHugh (54) from Busby – sentenced to 5 years and 3 months Joseph Boland (54) from Busby – sentenced to 3 years and 7 months Martin Gray (41) from Ardrossan – sentenced to 3 years and 3 months Garry Ralph (38) from Tollcross, Glasgow – sentenced to 3 years and 7 months. As a result of the investigation, over one tonne (1,023 kilograms) of cannabis resin – made up of 4,092 resin bars - with a street value of £2,922,857 was seized, making it the largest single drugs seizure by the SCDEA during 2009-10. Based on intelligence gathered during the investigation, the SCDEA suspects that the group, headed by John McHugh, was importing the drugs direct from source in Morocco via mainland Europe with the support of associates in Spain. During an intensive surveillance operation, on the morning of 24 July 2009 officers witnessed the drugs, which were wrapped in 31 individuals bales, being delivered in a van to business premises at Scotts Road in Paisley, which at the time were being operated as The Print Finishers. John McHugh and Joseph Boland were observed unloading the drugs from the van. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the vehicle was associated with a company operated by John McHugh. On the same day, Martin Gray and Garry Ralph were both arrested after being observed taking possession of quantities of the drugs from the premises in Paisley. Officers then detained McHugh and Boland at the industrial unit. Detective Chief Superintendent Allan Moffat, Head of Investigations Group, SCDEA said: “These criminals are now where they belong – firmly behind bars serving much-deserved jail terms. “These men intended to supply significant amounts of cannabis to our communities, where cannabis remains to be the most widely misused controlled drug. “Those involved in serious organised crime do not care about the impact on our communities caused by the fear and violence associated with the illegal drugs trade, or the health and social impact of drugs misuse. Drug dealers are only concerned about the significant profits they can generate from their criminal activities. “The successful outcome of this investigation means that we have disrupted the activities of this gang and we have prevented their harmful drugs from ever reaching the streets. This should send a clear message to other criminals that law enforcement is determined to identify who they are and ensure they are brought to justice.” | |
SCOTTISH CRIME AND DRUG
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
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