A man has been jailed for possessing heroin with a street value of more than £7,000.
Charles Gardiner, from Arbroath, was remanded for 20 months over a drugs stash recovered by police during a high-profile raid in February.
However, during examination it emerged he was “simply holding” the heroin for someone else as part of a personal debt.
The 30-year-old appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court from custody, having been remanded since his first appearance at Arbroath Sheriff Court in February.
Gardiner, of Noran Avenue, admitted a charge of possession of drugs and being concerned in their supply.
Defending Gardiner, solicitor Billy Rennie said there was some difference between the value of what sat in his flat and what it could be sold on for by someone else £2,500 instead of £7,000.
He added that the case was high-profile but his client was not a supplier of drugs.
“This was being held by him in respect of unpaid debts,” he said.
“He did not intend to sell them he was simply holding the drugs for someone else instead. However, he accepts that this is still a significant offence.
“He knew what he was involved in and accepts his responsibility in that,” he added.
Mr Rennie said that Gardiner intended to move to stay with family in Glasgow after his release from custody, away from an unsuitable peer group in Arbroath.
Sheriff Gregor Murray said involvement in the supply of drugs, at any stage, is a serious offence.
He added: “Mr Rennie has very ably stated the positives in your case, that you were not actively engaged in the sale of drugs.
“However, the negatives are that despite the as-seen value being only £2,000 or £2,500 as stated, the street valuation is near the mark that is many, many small bags for sale.”
At least five properties in the Noran Avenue area were raided as 60 police officers began work on Operation Trillium, during which the drugs were found.
A number of suspects were detained following the raids that took place simultaneously at around 11.30am on February 14.