A cocaine and cannabis dealer who was forced to work off a four-figure debt has been jailed.
Dylan Scott was snared with drugs worth nearly £26,000 following a raid on a flat in Dundee.
The 26-year-old claimed he was pressured into keeping and packaging drugs by a gang in Birmingham in order to pay off a £3,000 debt.
Scott was locked up after he pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court to being concerned in the supply of drugs on April 4 on Provost Road.
The offence was committed one month after being released from prison for a string of attacks on his former partner.
It was revealed how Scott had struggled to find work as a labourer following his released from prison and “succumbed to pressure” from those higher up the drugs chain.
Police raid
Scott was found in the bedroom of the flat by police who raided the property at 8.40am on the morning in question.
A large amount of drugs in bags were recovered, which later tested positive for cannabis and cocaine.
Specialist officers believed the cannabis had a maximum potential street value of £17,595.
The cocaine had an estimated street value of £8,350.
Scott, a prisoner of HMP Perth, pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and the Class B drug cannabis.
‘Succumbed to pressure’
Solicitor Paul Parker-Smith said: “He had no support, he had no means of generating income and succumbed to pressure he was put under from certain individuals based in Birmingham to offer himself to the drugs trade.
“It was to a limited extent.
“He was asked to package drugs.
“He, himself, did not actually sell drugs to anybody.
“Although he benefited to the extent that his drug debt was offset and partially repaid, he did not benefit in any cash terms.”
No alternative to custody
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael sentenced Scott to 15 months in prison and imposed a supervised release order for eight months thereafter.
“I understand the reasons why you did it,” the sheriff said.
“I have come to the view there is no alternative to a custodial sentence because of the gravity of the offences and it’s the only appropriate way to express society’s disapproval.”
