A Liverpool drug courier confessed "there's stuff in the bag" after being stopped travelling in a taxi.
John Brennan was in a taxi driving towards Aberdeen when police stopped the car and said they were going to carry out a search. Brannan, of Hahnemann Road, Walton, then sighed, kicked a bag at his feet and said: "There's stuff in the bag."
Later during police interview, detectives asked the 41-year-old if he was involved in supplying drugs and he replied: "Obviously." Brennan was carrying more than £130,000 worth of cocaine and heroin at the time he was caught.
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On Monday, June 27, Edinburgh's High Court heard that Brennan had admitted to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin on November 23 last year at the A90 road at Fordoun, in Aberdeenshire. Altogether, cocaine and crack cocaine worth more than £120,000 and heroin valued more than £12,000 was found.
Detectives estimate total value of the drugs recovered was pounds £136,720. Judge Lady Wise told Brennan his crimes "contributes significantly to the misery and suffering of those addicted to controlled drugs".
She said: "You have a not insignificant record of previous convictions, one of which relates to being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug." The offences were committed after he was granted bail at Aberdeen Sheriff Court the previous year.
He had admitted breaching a bail condition on November 23 which prohibited him returning to Scotland except for court appearances or appointments with lawyers. Prosecutor John McElroy said: "On November 23 2021 intelligence was received in relation to a Toyota Avensis motor car being involved in transporting individuals involved in the supply of controlled drugs in Aberdeen."
Brennan later told police that he was paid to transport the bag from Liverpool to Aberdeen, but was not aware of its contents, and that the taxi driver was not involved.
Defence counsel Gareth Jones said: "As a result of a bout of unemployment, caused in part by the pandemic, he was struggling financially at this time. Stupidly he agreed to act as a courier of the drugs intercepted by the police." He said that Brennan knew what he had done was wrong and has since expressed regret and remorse.
Lady Wise said he would have faced a jail sentence in excess of six years but for this was decreased after his guilty pleas. Brennan was sentenced to five years in jail.
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