A Paisley drug dealer was caught red-handed when plain-clothed cops sniffed the stench of cannabis coming from his car.
James Lough was driving home on October 13 last year when cops in an unmarked car could smell cannabis emanating from his Fiat Punto.
When cops followed Lough to his Affric Drive home, they were hit with an “overwhelming” stink of cannabis coming from his motor. A search of the Fiat resulted in cops finding a rucksack which contained 18 bags of the Class B drug.
A further search of the 31-year-old’s home resulted in officers finding cannabis in various bags and jars throughout the house valued at over £7,000 and over £4,000 in cash.
Procurator fiscal depute Matt Piskorz told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 7.15pm, officers Martin and Wilkie were on plain clothes mobile patrol in an unmarked police vehicle on Lochfield Road in Paisley while driving behind a white Fiat Punto and a strong smell of cannabis was coming from the Punto.
“Officers followed the Punto and pulled into the side of the road a short distance away to the driveway at the accused’s home in Affric Drive.
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“Officers approached the vehicle and observed Lough in the driver’s seat. On engaging with the accused, the overwhelming smell of cannabis was noted to be emanating from inside of the vehicle and the accused appeared extremely nervous and agitated.”
Lough was detained while a search of his Punto was carried out which cops found a rucksack in the back seat of the car.
Mr Piskorz added: “On searching the rucksack, officers found 18 resealable bags containing green herbal material and on searching Lough, officers recovered £80 in cash, a grey Samsung mobile phone and a black Samsung mobile phone.
“While under caution, Lough made numerous admissions to owning the seized rucksack and contents. Lough was arrested and taken to Greenock police station.”
The court heard a search warrant for Lough’s home was then granted and cops raided the property around 10.30pm that evening.
Mr Piskorz explained: “A systematic search was carried out and items seized included £4,790 cash from the living room, four jars containing cannabis, 13 resealable bags containing cannabis, digital scales all alongside various quantities of bags and jars containing cannabis.”
The total weight of cannabis recovered was 1490g which has a value of £7,610. The crown made a motion for forfeiture of the cash that was seized from Lough and from his home totalling £4,870. The motion was granted by Sheriff Thomas Ward. Defence agent Paul Lynch asked to reserve mitigation for the preparation of reports.
Sheriff Ward stated: “This is a serious matter being concerned in the supply of drugs and quite a lot of drugs at that. However, before I pass sentence, I’ll call for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.”
Sentence was deferred until December 8 and Lough’s bail was continued meantime.
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