Man caught with drugs money told cops he was a 'snake breeder'
The High Court in Glasgow heard how 38-year-old Ian Austin said to officers the cash was from boa pythons he had sold
A man caught with nearly £40,000 of drugs money in a shoebox told police he was a snake breeder.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how 38-year-old Ian Austin said to officers the cash was from boa pythons he had sold.
But when the box was analysed, fingerprints linked Austin to co-accused Daniel Adams, 24, from Aberdeen, who was caught with cannabis resin with a street value of more than £300,000.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Austin, from Liverpool, and Adams admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin in September 2016.
The court heard that after receiving information that an organised crime gang was operating in the Aberdeen area and dealing in drugs, an undercover operation was set up.
Adams was seen leaving a flat in Balgownie Court, Aberdeen, carrying a rucksack and giving it to Austin who drove off.
Austin's car was stopped and searched and £39,920 in cash was found in a shoebox inside the rucksack.
During a police interview Austin initially told police: “I breed Boa Python snakes and came from Liverpool to Aberdeen to supply a man with snakes.”
He said in exchange he received the shoebox which he '”assumed” contained £40,000.
Adams was caught on the M74 near Bothwell. When the car in which he was a passenger was searched 97 kilos of cannabis resin was discovered.
Both men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced later this month