21 imprisoned after big Lanarkshire drugs operation

Aug 14 2008 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A LONG-RUNNING drugs operation has ended in 21 people being sentenced to more than 22 years in prison.

Operation Robust had focused on those suspected to be involved in the supply of class-A drugs, predominantly heroin.

Addresses believed to be used for the supply of drugs were also targeted in the 2007 intelligence-led, undercover operation.

Of the 20 accused who pleaded guilty to charges of being concerned in the supply of heroin, 15 were from the Hamilton, Blantyre and Larkhall areas.

Those who received jail terms were Derek Dobbie (30), Larkhall (15 months); James Black (33), Hamilton (12 months); Colin Murray (27), Hamilton (17 months); Hugh Lowell (34), Hamilton (20 months); James Bruce (59) Hamilton (10 months); Alexander Gilmour (50), Larkhall (12 months); Easdale Campbell (50), Hamilton (16 months); Derek Craw or McAuley (39) Larkhall (16 months); Mark Cain (38), Hamilton (12 months); Garry Stewart (38), Hamilton (12 months); James Bett (36), Hamilton (12 months); Paul Akelis (30), Blantyre (27 months) and John Boyd (26), Hamilton.

Those who received Drug Treatment and Testing Orders were: Nicola Mann (23), Hamilton, and Thomas Kennedy (28) Hamilton.

John Halliday (35), of Hamilton, received six months’ imprisonment for obstructing officers during the course of their duty.

Thirteen people charged as part of Operation Robust had their not guilty pleas accepted.

Procurator Fiscal for Lanarkshire Janet Cameron said last week: “The convictions of these 21 individuals, all following pleas of guilty, come after months of preparations by Hamilton procurator fiscal’s office prosecutors.

“A dedicated prosecution team was set up in the Hamilton fiscal’s office, tasked with preparing the cases for trial.

“As with all cases involving class-A drugs, we as prosecutors were absolutely committed to gathering all available evidence in preparation for what would certainly have been a very lengthy trial process had the accused not accepted their guilt.

“We are in no doubt about the corrosive effect which the supply of illicit drugs can have on a community.”

Divisional police commander Tim Love said the operation sent out a clear message to dealers that they can and will be caught.

“The arrest of those individuals and their subsequent sentencing has shown that Strathclyde Police, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and South Lanarkshire Council will not tolerate a minority of people bringing misery to the lives of others and, through partnership working, that minority will be brought to justice.”