Three Scots who ran cross-border drug operation jailed for 13 years
The group smuggled cannabis worth thousands of pounds
Three men with links to organised crime have been jailed for almost of 13 years for operating a cross-border drugs organisation.
Craig Dineen, David McMillan and Andrew Mullin transported cannabis worth thousands of pounds from England to areas in and around Glasgow.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Dineen, 30, of Renfrew, was jailed for six years.
McMillan, 40, of Glasgow, received a sentence of five years and three months and Mullin, 46, also of Glasgow, was jailed for 18 months.
McMillan’s brother Craig, 36, was also sentenced to 18 months' behind bars.
Police bust
Detective Chief Superintendent Vicky Watson, head of the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “This seizure undoubtedly caused significant disruption to a large-scale, cross-border supply chain bringing drugs into Scotland.
“Police Scotland will not allow criminals and organised crime groups to profit from other people’s misery.
A fourth gang member, Stephen Hamilton, 31, was given a community payback order requiring him to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work.
At an earlier hearing, the court heard how Dineen began smuggling drugs during the first Covid lockdown from the back of a transporter van.
He had been identified as the ringleader after police accessed encrypted messages between him and other gang members as part of Operation Juneberry.
Crime doesn't pay
Those conversations linked the group to a haul of controlled drugs and cash totalling more than £2million.
The court heard how Mullin collected a shipment of drugs in June 2021, which had been driven from England before being switched to the van and then moved to a Citroen car.
Police stopped the car, which was being driven by Hamilton, and discovered cannabis with a street value of £122,000.
A month later, officers stopped the transporter van and apprehended the McMillan brothers and Dineen.
Dineen’s DNA and fingerprints were found on an assortment of drugs seized from the vehicle.
The court heard how he lived a luxury lifestyle from his life of crime.
He wore expensive watches and designer clothes and drove a Range Rover valued at £97,500.
Chief Superintendent Watson added: “Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs in their community is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101.
“Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”