An engineer caught ferrying a £1.2 million cocaine haul claimed he had only done so as he had been left terrified for his life.
John Haughey was snared on junction nine of the M74 near Kirkmuirhill, South Lanarkshire.
The 58-year-old had the drugs in a van which also contained keys to a Glasgow city centre storage unit used as a drugs factory.
Haughey of Moodiesburn, told police he had got involved "under duress" by un-named individuals he owed money to.
He said: "I have never been so scared in my life."
Haughey pled guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
The court heard police acted on intelligence to stop Haughey's Peugeot Expert van on the motorway.
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A search recovered 10 taped kilo blocks of cocaine with one selected bag being of 78 per cent purity.
Several phones, a set of keys and small remote for the lock up garage were also recovered.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: "The drugs were for onward supply and DNA and fingerprint findings were consistent with Haughey having handled these items."
The storage unit, situated yards from Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, was found to contain items such as heat-sealed bags, scales, rubber gloves and a plastic bag containing white powder.
Mr Farrell added: "The items had been used in the weighing, adulteration and packaging of controlled drugs."
DNA further linked Haughey to being involved there.
Mr Farrell added: "If (the 10 drug packages were) broken down further, there is a potential value of between £1m to 1.2 million."
Haughey "spoke freely" when quizzed by police and confessed to being involved in transporting, weighing and preparing drugs.
Sarah Livingstone, defending, told the court: "He is self-employed as a property maintenance engineer and has a number of jobs to be completed.
"He has asked to complete the jobs before going to prison but knows the chances of that are slim."
Sentence was deferred until next month pending background reports by Judge Michael O'Grady QC who remanded Haughey in custody meantime.
