Man jailed in connection with serious organised crime in the Borders
Last updated 11th Apr 2024
A Galashiels man is starting a seven-and-a-half year sentence behind bars tonight (Thursday) after being convicted of being involved in serious organised crime in the Scottish Borders.
The High Court in Glasgow heard Christopher Ferguson obtained drugs and supplied a network of dealers in the region and Central Belt between January 2018 and April last year.
A total of £385,000 worth of drugs linked to the 36-year-old were recovered in four raids on heroin dealers.
However, not guilty pleas to charges of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and money laundering were accepted by the Crown.
Ferguson was arrested in April 2023 as part of an operation targeting the supply of Class A drugs in the Borders, which recovered substances worth more than £670,000.
Welcoming the sentence, Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, from Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Drugs have no place in our communities and we’re committed to tackling the sale and distribution of them.
“We work hard to ensure all of Scotland is a hostile environment for those who want to engage in criminal activity. Convictions like this prove you will be caught and forced to face the consequences.”
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The court heard Ferguson's home was raided by police in April 2023, but no drugs and cash were recovered.
However, two mobile phones were seized and examined which showed messages of others attempting to buy drugs from him.
Further messages concerned money owed to Ferguson and his efforts to obtain payment.
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Detective Chief Superintendent of OCCTU Steven Elliott said: “This operation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Information from the public is crucial in helping us to combat those involved in drugs activity in our communities. It is only as a community working together that we can tackle drug dealing activity.
“Anyone with any information regarding drug dealing or county lines activities in their area are asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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