A heroin dealer who supplied the drug throughout Arbroath to fund his own habit has been jailed for four years and four months.
Sheriff Alastair Brown told Robert Finnan that he had considered sending him to the High Court for sentence after the 45-year-old was snared in Operation Shrug, a major crackdown on serious organised crime in Angus which culminated in a series of raids in October.
Finnan, a prisoner at Perth, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court, where he admitted acting with others between August 13 and October 2 2013 to supply diamorphine (heroin) at various addresses in Arbroath.
The accused accepted he peddled the drug on Helen Street, Lochlands Street, Cairnie Street, MacDonald Park, Ladyloan and at the town’s railway station.
Depute fiscal Trina Sinclair told the court police had received intelligence which suggested Finnan had a relationship “based on the supply of heroin” with a man who was sourcing large quantities of the drug for supply throughout Arbroath.
She said: “At about 11.05am on August 13 the accused, Finnan, entered Helen Street.
“Between 11.54am and 1.21pm a number of unknown persons were seen to attend at the address, gaining entry before leaving a short time later.”
At about 2.22pm, Finnan was seen meeting a man on Lochlands Street, where an apparent handover took place.
As uniformed officers approached the man he disposed of an item in a garden.
“This item was recovered and found to be seven grams of heroin, with a potential illicit value of £690,” Ms Sinclair said.
She related similar exchanges which took place on September 24 and October 1. Finnan was cautioned and charged by police on October 2.
His solicitor Ian Myles said: “He has an unenviable record. He has had a drug habit for some considerable time.
“His drug habit increased. He could not afford to pay for the increase. He sold drugs for his own habit.”
Sheriff Brown said: “I have given this very careful consideration.
“I have come to the conclusion that my sentencing powers are adequate but only just. I sentence you to four years and four months in prison.
“Those who sell drugs and those who are involved in the supply of drugs will be dealt with seriously.”
In early October, tactical units swooped on houses across Arbroath as part of Operation Shrug, which also involved officers from Aberdeen and Fife.
On the day of the raids, Police Scotland Angus divisional commander Chief Inspector Gordon Milne said the operation represented the culmination of three months of work by officers.
“I have no tolerance for people who deal in drugs,” the senior officer said.
“They are responsible for misery, death and harm within our communities.”
Finnan’s co-accused will be dealt with by the High Court in due course.