A top cop has shamed two “greedy” drug traffickers for having “no thought for the misery they caused”.
We previously reported how James Paterson, 34, and Ian Sweeney, 51, were jailed yesterday after a lengthy trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
It comes after an investigation saw the recovery of cocaine and heroin with a street value of £1.3 million and £55,000 in cash from their criminal network.
Paterson latterly lived in a flat in the city's upmarket Park district and was able to own Rolex watches, holidays in Dubai and enjoyed spending sprees in designer shops.
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Meanwhile Sweeney was a former Barras Market street trader who later set up his own counter surveillance firm.
He has now been jailed for five years after his "skills" played a vital role in the crime to aid Paterson.
Paterson was hit with 14 years in jail for supplying class A drugs, money laundering, directing others to obtain, transport, adulterate, as well as concealing the money received over the same time period.
Now Police Scotland have welcomed the conviction after a successful investigation.
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Detective Inspector Julia Ogilvie, of Police Scotland’s Organised Crime Unit, said: “Lives and communities are ruined by drugs and these men had no thought for the misery they caused.
“They were intimidating and greedy, caring for no one but themselves.
“Now following a long investigation carried out by dedicated officers they have been brought to justice.
“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work carried out by the investigation team that has taken these criminals off the streets.
“At Police Scotland we will continue to work hard to combat this time of crime and we need the help of the public to do so. Anyone who has any information about the supply and sale of drugs should contact us via 101.
“If you want to provide information while remaining anonymous you can also call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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