Three drug dealers who distributed thousands of pounds worth of cannabis across Fife and beyond have been jailed for more than nine years.
Thomas Brockie, 37, of Hillview Place, Crossgates, Paul McKinney, 46, of East Avenue, Renfrew, and Steven Fletcher, 45, of Gordon Street, Lochgelly, all admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act at Brockie’s home address, Foulford Street, Cowdenbeath, and elsewhere in Scotland on November 2 2012.
Cupar Sheriff Court previously heard police officers found 20 bars of cannabis resin weighing five kilograms during a raid at Fletcher’s house.
Depute fiscal Beverley Adam said: “Police received information that the accused was involved in the distribution of cannabis resin in Fife.
“He was apprehended in his garden and escorted back into his house, which was searched and the drugs were found.”
She added the drugs had a potential street value of £25,000.
Fletcher’s defence agent said he became involved in the offence as a result of a drug debt and that he had a very limited older record and suffered from depression and anxiety, while also supporting his elderly mother.
McKinney’s solicitor said he “bitterly regretted” his actions and the distress it had caused his family.
In sentencing the trio, Sheriff Charles Macnair said: “All three of you have pleaded guilty to being involved in a significant supply of cannabis resin, an unsafe substance that causes untold misery among the population of this country and only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
Fletcher, who tendered a guilty plea at an earlier date was sentenced to 31 months, while Brockie and McKinney, who were both on bail at the time of the offence, were each sentenced to 42 months.