Court hears details of cocaine seizure
Brian McShane, 51, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine worth more than £5,000 at Airdrie Sheriff Court this week. The repeat offender appeared before Sheriff Tony McGlennan after police executed a search warrant at a property in Wester Mavisbank Avenue, Airdrie, on January 25 last year.
Prosecutor Annette Ward told the court that police received intelligence that drugs were being stored at the address. Officers found the property insecure and unoccupied. During a search, they discovered bags of white powder in a hallway cupboard, along with scales bearing a white residue and empty snap bags. A letter addressed to McShane was also recovered.
Drugs valued at over £5,000
The powder tested positive for cocaine, weighing 172.98 grammes with a street value of £5,260. In a police interview, McShane claimed another person was responsible for storing the drugs at the property.
Defence lawyer Nicky Matteo said McShane suffers from a respiratory condition and appeared in court with a breathing aid. The solicitor stressed: 'He is clearly a very unwell individual.' McShane, of Moss Side Avenue, Airdrie, has a previous conviction for being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Sheriff warns of prison sentence
Sheriff Tony McGlennan deferred sentence until next month for background reports and an electronic tagging assessment. He continued bail but told McShane: 'The harm perpetrated on the community by those engaged in this sort of enterprise is significant, even if they are performing a function at the lower end. Despite your health issue, you are at significant risk of receiving a prison sentence given the nature of this offence and your past offending.'
