Heroin with a value of almost £100,000 was found under bushes near Stirling’s Back Walk.
Stirling man Paul McGowan, who pleaded guilty to supply of the class-A drug, was snared after the discovery near the popular walking route on May 19, 2021.
The High Court in Glasgow was told this week by prosecutor Paul Kearney QC: “A man attended to clear some of the bushes and brambles from the area.
“He then observed a black plastic bag within the undergrowth.”
He initially thought it was rubbish, but opened it to find a coolbag inside.
It was then found to contain a “significant quantity of controlled drugs” as well as other related items.
The man took the bag home and immediately alerted police.
It was examined and a taped hard block of heroin was found inside other plastic bags.
There were also digital scales, scissors and a spoon.
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DNA linked self-employed joiner, 50-year-old McGowan, to what was discovered.
Mr Kearney said the heroin had a total potential value of £93,550.
It emerged McGowan already had three drug trafficking convictions including a five-year High Court sentence in 2012.
On Tuesday Lord Fairley jailed McGowan for six years and four months after he admitted to being concerned in the supply of heroin.
The judge cut the term from nine and a half years due to the guilty plea.
Detective Sergeant John Currie said following sentence: “This sends a strong message to people who deal controlled drugs in our communities that we will catch you, you will be put before the courts and you will be convicted.
“This was a significant amount of illegal, dangerous drugs taken off our streets and I would like to thank the public and the officers who worked on this case to get us to this conclusion.
“ Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and reducing the risks from drugs in our communities. Anyone with any concerns of criminality in their area should contact police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
