Stephen Jamieson jailed over running million-pound drug gang

Stephen 'Jimmy' Jamieson, 43, was caught communicating with fellow hoods between March 26, 2020, and May 19, 2020.

This included the notorious Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson, who is serving 16 years for smuggling £76 million of high-purity cocaine to the UK in banana boxes.

Jamieson discussed cocaine, heroin and cash with Stevenson, who was locked up in 2024.

Jamieson, who had latterly been living in Dubai, was arrested in September 2025 along with other gangland figures such as Ross 'Miami' McGill, Steven Lyons and Steven Larwood.

Jamieson was hauled back to Scotland in December and appeared today by video link at the High Court in Glasgow, where he pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime.

Stephen Jamieson (Image: Police Scotland)

The court heard Jamieson went by the username 'PatrolStaff' on the Encrochat communication network later busted by law enforcement.

It was stated that Jamieson was caught after messages written by PatrolStaff corresponded with his movements.

Jamieson also referred to press reports about him, which mentioned his dog breeding business as well as his 'Jimmy' nickname.

Jamieson was seen to be in communication with Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson, who went by the name 'ElusiveAle'.

Jamieson discussed with Stevenson the sums owed to them and the availability of stock, which included two million pills as well as cocaine and heroin.

Jamieson also spoke with Stevenson about police activities surrounding associates, which included the loss of cocaine and cash, as well as money owed.

Jamieson claimed he wanted to "very carefully get back to work" while Stevenson commented that it was a "stressful time."

Jamieson said: "What you talking about, I'm ready to work."

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Meantime, Jamieson was also in communication with John Gurie, who went by the name 'SurrealKey'.

He was sentenced to six years for supplying cocaine.

Jamieson discussed cocaine Gurie had in his possession and its availability for a customer to purchase some.

Gurie was detained on April 21, 2020, which resulted in a search of his home, where cash and a kilo of high-purity cocaine was found.

After the police involvement, Jamieson sent Gurie "financial support."

The court also heard that Jamieson spoke with user 'NobleSage', who was fellow hood, Stephen O'Donnell.

O'Donnell has since been jailed for two years after he pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property.

During Jamieson's offending, he made arrangements with O'Donnell to collect "paper", which refers to money.

Prosecutor Michael Macintosh said: "Messages indicate that cash in the order of several hundred thousand pounds was collected.

"Messages indicate that NobleSage postponed a planned collection due to a high police presence."

Jamieson's first known communication with the user 'CostalPalace' had Jamieson offering five million etizolam pills for seven pence each.

Jamieson then spoke with user 'LushAcid', where he offered a price of £40,000 per kilogram of cocaine.

Jamieson also communicated with 'FortressMoth' to provide two kilos of diamorphine.

There was further discussion with user 'OctoAce' over the varying price of cocaine, with Jamieson charging more than another supplier.

Jamieson told OctoAce that he charged higher as he "needed the wages."

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Mr Macintosh added: "Jamieson made reference to travelling to Dubai and having purchased two watches and two vehicles.

"He made reference to having spent £146,000 on a Jeep."

In further messages in May 2020, Jamieson exchanged messages about cocaine being "made" and sent an image of a pill-making machine.

Jamieson went on to quote a price of heroin at £18,000 per kilogram, along with a picture of a block.

Jamieson initially travelled to Dubai from Manchester in February 2020 and returned in May 2020 before heading back to the Arab state in November that year.

Thomas Ross KC, defending, told the court that the offence was absent of firearms or intimidation, which was "different" from similar cases.

Jamieson had previously been jailed after a massive drug sting likened to America crime drama The Wire.

A court heard in 2009 how the then 26-year-old had initially been the surveillance target in what ended up being the massive police probe Operation Lockdown involving up to 100 officers on a given day and costing nearly £3m.

Jamieson - who boasted at one stage of planning to snap up a £115,000 Lamborghini with his ill-gotten gains - had been watched before evidence was gathered against fellow cocaine gang leader Brian McCulloch.

McCulloch helped get himself snared after buying Jamieson's bugged BMW X5, described by prosecutors as "not the happiest purchase" he had ever made.

Jamieson was jailed for eight years and McCulloch for 10 after they admitted being involved in the multi-million-pound cocaine operation.

The former also pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.

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Gang members Steven Caddis was sentenced to six years, and Gary Caddis to a total of five years and three months for their roles.

The four were sentenced at the time amid tight security following fears of an escape bid.

Firearms officers were present, as well as a police helicopter circling overhead.

Judge Lord Scott told Jamieson today, when jailing him, that the sentence was more lenient than what would have been if it had been a drug supply charge.

The judge said: "You took part in a significant organised crime operation over 54 days. Due to the scale, quantity and criminality involved with millions of pounds of drugs, your role was key and an opportunity for a significant benefit to you.

"The significant scale of the criminal enterprise, with the large sums of money and value of drugs and the period involved was not days but months.

"It is necessary to punish you and deter others from behaving in this way, as well as an element of public protection."

Jamieson has also been made subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO), which will be in place for four years after his release from prison.  

The order imposes significant and stringent restrictions on his activities after he is released from prison and is designed to protect the public and prevent Jamieson returning to crime.

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Prosecutor Sineidin Corrins, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said:  “Stephen Jamieson has now been brought to account for his crimes thanks to a coordinated effort by prosecutors, Police Scotland and international partners to deter and disrupt this type of criminality. 

“He was a significant figure in Scotland’s serious organised crime landscape. EncroChat was a major tranche of evidence in this case, which specialist law enforcement officers had to collect and gather as evidence. 

“The Serious Crime Prevention Order granted against Jamieson is a powerful tool in combatting serious organised crime.  

“As a result of this order, the ability of Jamieson to return to serious organised crime will be significantly restricted. Breach of a SCPO carries a potential five-year prison sentence." 

Jamieson will now also be subject to COPFS confiscation action to recover illegally obtained money.

Rick Jones, NCA Deputy Director, commented: “Our international network worked closely with colleagues in Police Scotland and the Dubai authorities, who are key partners for us in the fight against organised crime, to bring about this extradition.

"The NCA’s reach is global and, as this case demonstrates, there is no hiding place for fugitives wanted by UK law enforcement.

"We will track them down and bring them to justice.”