Snake money drug dealers jailed

A man caught with almost £40,000 of drugs money in a shoebox, who claimed the cash came from selling Boa Pythons, has been jailed for 43 months.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that fingerprints on the box linked 38-year-old Ian Austin to co-accused Daniel Adams, 25, from Aberdeen, who was caught with cannabis resin with a maximum street value of £323,330.

Adams was jailed for 58 months by judge Lady Rae.

Lady Rae told the accused, who are both fathers-of-two: “This is an evil trade that you are involved in. Lives are blighted by drugs. You both played an important role this trade. What must your children think of you both. What sort of example are you giving to youngsters.

“I see the misery of drugs day in day out in this job and it is not a pleasant experience.”

Austin, from Liverpool, and Adams admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin in September, last year.

The court heard that after receiving information that an organised crime gang was operating in the Aberdeen area and dealing in drugs. An undercover operation was set-up which snared Adams and Austin.

Adams was seen leaving a flat in Balgownie Court, Aberdeen, carrying a rucksack and giving it to Austin who drove off.

Austin's car was stopped and searched and £39,920 in cash was found in a shoebox inside the rucksack.

During a police interview Austin initially told police: “I breed Boa Python snakes and came from Liverpool to Aberdeen to supply a man with snakes.”

He said in exchange he received the shoebox which he '”assumed” contained £40,000.

Adams was caught on the M74 near Bothwell, Lanarkshire. When the car in which he was a passenger was searched a large quantity of cannabis resin was discovered.

Austin's defence counsel Derick Nelson said that his client owed money to drug dealers.

Ronnie Renucci, defending Adams, said: “He accepts he had a choice and made the wrong choice. He recognises he has let himself down and let his family down."