Man involved in "serious organised crime" jailed after Cambuslang raid
James Catchpole was caught with £100,000 and an encrypted phone in May 2020
A man caught with £100,000 and an encrypted phone in an organised crime raid was jailed today for 32 months.
James Catchpole, 37, was also snared with a counting machine at a property in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, on May 27 2020.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that police received intelligence that Catchpole "was involved in serious organised crime."
The find was as a result of Police Scotland's Operation Definitive probe.
A search warrant was granted for Catchpole's home.
Prosecutor Darren Harty said: "Police recovered a counting machine as well as an EncroChat encrypted phone.
"A total of £100,000 in mixed notes was found in the property which was seized."
Catchpole pled guilty to acquiring and possessing criminal property.
Peter Malone, defending, told the sentencing: "He lost his employment around Covid time and was in financial difficulties.
"He was at a low ebb and was asked by others to keep these items in his property.
"He was told he would be financially rewarded for doing so but he didn't at any point receive anything.
"Mr Catchpole accepts this was a regrettable and stupid decision.
"He acknowledges the gravity of the type of offence at this level."
Sheriff Gerard Considine told Catchpole that he assisted serious organised crime at a serious level.
He said: "You know this offence is substantial and a custodial sentence is inevitable."
The Crown made a confiscation order to seize £144,000 which was granted by the sheriff.
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