A man caught with almost £40,000 of drugs money in a shoebox told police he was a snake breeder and the cash was for Boa Pythons he had sold.
But, when the box was analysed fingerprints on it linked 38-year-old Ian Austin to co-accused Daniel Adams, 24, from Aberdeen, who was caught with cannabis resin with a maximum street value of £323,330.
At the High Court in Glasgow 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 and dealing in drugs an undercover operation was set-up.
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 97 kilos of cannabis resin was discovered.
Both men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced later this month.
Detective Inspector Robin Sim, from the OCCT Unit in Aberdeen, said: “This was a co-ordinated covert operation between specialist teams based throughout Scotland. The ability to deploy specialist resources throughout Scotland means that we can successfully target those involved in the supply of illegal drugs, no matter the location.
“This successful operation has resulted in a significant quantity of illegal drugs being taken off the streets and kept away from our communities and we welcome these convictions.
“Information from our communities about the supply of controlled drugs is vital to our work and I would encourage anyone with information to contact us on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.”
