Easter Ross quartet sentenced after Police break £650k drugs business
Alasdair Finlayson jailed for 9 years for his part in the enterprise
Three men have been sentenced after pleading guilty to being involved in the supply of drugs in the Highlands.
Alasdair Finlayson (26) Daniel Degan (32) and Cameron Ross (22) all from the Easter Ross area admitted the offences last month.
They were identified after a police investigation into the supply of cocaine and cannabis in the area.
A fourth man, Ryan Ross (28) also pleaded guilty to acquiring and possessing criminal property in the form of cash.
All four were sentenced on Friday at the High Court in Glasgow.
Finlayson of Alness has been jailed for nine years and Cameron Ross of Invergordon for 32 months, with the men involved in a £650,000 drugs enterprise operating from secluded "stash sites" in the Highlands.
They were snared following a police operation in August 2020.
The gang stored drugs, equipment and cash at three undisturbed locations, Fyrish, Glenglass and Munlochy, hidden under moss and vegetation.
Police kept tabs on leader Finlayson as well as Cameron Ross as they accessed the hidden hauls which were later seized.
Finlayson was also seen at one of the stash sites with a man of interest to English authorities handing over a weighted bag.
The operation was uncovered after Scottish police worked with English counterparts on dealers who travelled North of the Border.
Officers focussed on those involved in the circulation of drugs the Highlands.
Ryan Ross of Balintore and Degan of Alness were both sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work and issued with fines.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Ingram said: “We welcome the conviction of these four men which comes after a detailed investigation into their activity trafficking drugs for distribution in the Highlands.
“We are committed to making the Highlands a hostile place for anyone intent on supplying illegal drugs which causes nothing but harm in our communities.
“Investigations like this are driven by community intelligence from people who do not tolerate drugs and those intent on dealing them.
“Cases such as this show that our work ensures that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions and sends a strong message to dealers that we are committed to bringing them to justice.”