A man and a woman from Lanarkshire have been handed unpaid work orders after police stumbled on drugs worth more than £6000.
Officers had gone to Draffen Tower in Motherwell to investigate a separate matter, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard this week.
Mark Love and Jennifer Armstrong, both 32, from Chapelhall, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and street valium on April 15, 2020.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, told the court: "Whilst in a flat, police officers saw certain items that made them suspect the property was being used for the supply of controlled drugs.
"A search warrant was obtained and 78 grams of diamorphine (heroin), worth £2790, was found.
"The officers also seized 11,849 etizolam (street valium) tablets with a potential value of £3450.
"The fingerprints of both accused were found on the packages of drugs."
Defence agent Roberto Manini said the flat belonged to another individual who was the subject of police attention.
The solicitor said Love had entered the care system at an early age and this led to a "number of difficulties" including using drugs.
However, a criminal justice social work report stated that he has made "encouraging" progress in recent times.
Jackson Bateman, defending Armstrong, said she "doesn't have her troubles to seek", but her report stressed she could be "managed in the community" as an alternative to a prison sentence.
Sheriff Liam Murphy told the accused: "The starting point here is custody, but the offences were more than two years ago and the reports document the changes and progress made by both of you since.
"Given the circumstances, I'm prepared by a fine margin to step back from custody."
Love and Armstrong, both of Asher Road, will be under social work supervision for two years. Love must do 150 hours of unpaid community work and Armstrong must complete 135 hours.
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