A drug trafficker who was caught with £93,000 of cocaine has been jailed after claiming that he thought he was transporting cash.
Jason Hawe was stopped by police in Aberdeen after officers spotted a car that intelligence indicated was being used in the illegal drugs trade.
Police recovered nearly half a kilo of cocaine which was above average purity and could have been adulterated to bulk it out for onward supply.
Hawe, of Fountain Grange, Aberdeen, admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug in December 2021 at Seaton Road in the city and elsewhere, when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh today.
Advocate depute John MacPherson said on December 28 in 2021 a Seat car was seen parked up in an Aberdeen street and kept under observation after police intelligence indicated the vehicle was being used in the supply of drugs.
Jail sentence ‘inevitable’
The prosecutor said the car was later stopped with unemployed Hawe, 46, in the driver’s seat and a plastic bag was recovered from the vehicle.
Hawe was detained and during an interview admitted being involved in couriering drugs or drug money.
He told officers: “I didn’t know it was crack in the bag. I just thought it was cash.”
Mr MacPherson said that the drugs recovered could be worth up to £93,500 if adulterated.
The court heard that Hawe was previously jailed when he was aged 27 for a drugs offence.
David Moggach, counsel for Hawe, said the earlier drug crime involved cannabis.
The defence counsel said it was “inevitable” that a jail sentence would be imposed on Hawe but urged the court to get a background report on him.
He said Hawe had physical and mental health issues and added: “He led a fairly isolated and lonely life.”
The judge, Lord Lake, continued the case for the preparation of a report and remanded Hawe in custody. He was previously on bail pending his court appearance today.
Hawe is due to be sentenced next month at the High Court in Livingston.
