Gang Jailed For Almost 50 Years For Large-Scale Drugs Operation
A drugs gang including a convicted killer who ran a £1 million heroin ring from his prison cell have been jailed for a total of almost 50 years.
Murderer Stephen Nisbet used a secret stash of mobile phones inside HMP Edinburgh to arrange drug deals across Scotland.
His businessman brother James Nisbet set a up a supposed recycling firm as a front to help flood the country with heroin.
But, the duo - along with a team of couriers - were snared when detectives swooped in January last year following a massive police probe.
It lead to the brothers being convicted of supplying heroin following a lengthy trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Passing sentences totalling 48 years and 10 months judge Lord Armstrong said the men had been involved in an operation which was "organised and planned."
He added: "The courts must take full and proper account of the widespread harm that is caused by the supply and abuse of controlled drugs."
Stephen Nisbet is already serving an 18-year sentence after being convicted of murder in 2003.
Lord Armstrong described him as the "principal figure" and jailed him for 12 years, to begin after his current minimum prison sentence ends.
His brother was jailed for 10 years.