A MAN turned to dealing drugs in a "stupid" move after losing his job in the pandemic.

Mobin Riaz's defence lawyer told Glasgow Sheriff Court how the 25-year-old had "previously been of good character" but had attempted the wrong "way out".

He was caught with cannabis hidden in the roof lining of a hire car. 

The depute fiscal described how, on April 28 last year around 5.30pm, cops were out on mobile patrol when they spotted Riaz's vehicle on Dalmarnock Road. 

Officers carried out a check on the motor and established it was a hire car. 

They followed it for a short time before pulling it over to the side of the road, finding Riaz, from Govanhill, in the driver’s seat.

Police noticed a strong smell of cannabis and told Riaz and his passenger to step out of the vehicle. 

The men were searched, as was the vehicle.

Cops found hidden in the roof lining of the car 44 bags of herbal material weighing 97.6g and then another 44 bags weighing 20g.

Riaz was arrested and taken to Govan police station where he was interviewed before being cautioned and charged.

His defence brief said: "There are positive aspects to the criminal justice social work report and he has previously been of good character.

"He carried out this offence having lost employment due to the pandemic and took this stupid, and not just stupid but criminal, way out."

Sheriff Allan Findlay ordered Riaz to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 120 hours thanks to his early plea of guilty.