Jodie Gilmour, the so-called 'Street Valium Queen' from Glasgow's Possilpark, was sentenced to four years in prison on February 18 at the High Court in Dundee after pleading guilty to serious organised crime charges. Her downfall came after the Encrochat encrypted phone network was cracked by detectives, revealing her central role in the street Valium trade.
Gilmour's Glitzy Lifestyle and Early Warnings
Gilmour had been on the radar of police and the Daily Record for a decade before her 2023 arrest. She openly flaunted her wealth on social media, posting photos of wads of cash, luxury cars, and Louis Vuitton bags. In 2016, when residents accused her and her mother, Shirley, of drug dealing, Gilmour responded defiantly on Facebook, calling whistleblowers 'fly grassing c****'. Shirley was later found guilty of possessing diazepam and cannabis with intent to supply, while Jodie was cleared of possession.
In 2017, police found 400,000 fake Valium pills at the home she shared with boyfriend Ryan Bradford. Bradford pleaded guilty, but Gilmour's not guilty plea was accepted.
Encrochat Unmasks Major Player
The turning point came in 2020 when law enforcement hacked the Encrochat network. Gilmour's username 'scarabflicker' was linked to frequent communications with drug traffickers. Messages showed she discussed setting up her own pill factory to flood Scotland with over one million street Valium tablets. She also traded high-end luxury watches for drugs and boasted of selling a kilo of cannabis per week.
In 2023, customs officers intercepted a package from Las Vegas addressed to Gilmour containing cannabis disguised as candles. When police raided her home, she was found sleeping beside a £25,000 Rolex watch. Investigations revealed she had passed more than £500,000 through her bank account in just three years.
Court Revelations and Sentence
During court proceedings, prosecutor Michael Macintosh detailed text conversations about the sale of 'scoobs' (benzodiazepines). Gilmour offered to supply 150,000 pills to an associate, who replied, 'U should have - ur the queen a scoobs.' She also offered to swap a stolen £35,000 watch for 220,000 tablets. Other chats referred to drugs as 'belters' and cannabis deals at £5,300 per kilogram. Despite her wealth, Gilmour claimed benefits while a cleaning firm in her name had an annual turnover of up to £43,540.
Even as she faced jail, Gilmour continued posting TikTok videos showcasing designer brands like Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton, along with cosmetic procedures. She was ultimately sentenced for altering and supplying controlled drugs and handling organised crime funds.
