An Aberdeen grandad-of-two has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after drugs worth £4,000 were found at his home.
James Munro appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after police seized a number of suspicious packages believed to contain illegal substances at his flat.
Officers executed a search warrant at a property on Westray Road in April last year, where they found two bags of cocaine, as well as scales and Munro’s driving licence.
The 37-year-old was later arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
He pleaded guilty to the charge after appearing in Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday.
Half for personal use, half for friends
Depute fiscal Brian Young said: “On April 30, police detectives attended at the locus to execute a drugs search warrant. Entry was forced and no person was found within.
“A systematic search of the locus was carried out and a number of packages suspected to contain a controlled substance were recovered from within the kitchen and bedroom together with scales.
“Also within the bedroom, a driving licence in the name of the accused was seized.
“The accused was interviewed, during which he admitted his involvement in the supplying of controlled drugs, stating he had bought a greater amount and intended half for personal use and to sell half to friends to make up the cost.”
The two items seized from Munro’s home were estimated to have a street value of a total of £4,000.
One bag contained 26.72g of cocaine mixed with another substance with the potential to realise £3,300, while the second package of 3.16g was believed to be worth £400.
‘It is of much regret’
Defence agent Caitlin Pirie told the court Munro accepts full responsibility and understands “there is no excuse for his actions”.
She added: “He has a history of drugs, alcohol and gambling issues and he was struggling with his addiction at the time. That’s why he purchase that quantity of drugs.
“It was the first time he had purchased such a quantity and it is of much regret.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller said: “I’ve carefully considered the significant quantity and potential value of the controlled substances that have been recovered, although this is of secondary importance.
“My concern would be the impact on the people who use them, and what happens if people like yourself agree to be involved in the supply of controlled substances.”
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Miller ordered Munro, of Westray Road in Aberdeen, to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.
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