Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Grant McCabe

Scots cocaine kingpin behind bars after Encrochat trafficking operation rumbled by cops

A crime gang member who was part of a massive cocaine trafficking operation has been banged up behind bars. Stuart George played a vital role in the crime which started during the first covid lockdown in 2020.

The 40 year-old was held after a raid at a drugs factory in Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire. George pled guilty to a charge of being involved in serious and organised crime on Friday.

He had previously been jailed in 2010 after a £1.5m amphetamine haul was discovered in his flat after his boiler went on fire. George had been on bail for this latest case, but was remanded in custody by judge Lord Clark. He will be sentenced next month.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how George and other mob members communicated via encrypted Encrochat messages to try and hide what was happening. Prosecutor Bill McVicar said George had the username "Whiteradio".

Mr McVicar added: "These messages were identified as part of a much larger inquiry involving police forces in France and the Netherlands." The court heard George was being directed for the "collection and distribution" of cocaine and dirty money.

His role in the gang was described as "courier/driver". Mr McVicar said the texts revealed George was involved in transporting 31kg of cocaine, which had a wholesale value of £1.2m.

It is believed, however, the potential sum would be far greater if split and adulterated into smaller amounts for sale. Landscape gardener George, of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, also received £5,630 in "wages".

Mr McVicar: "In the messages, he was also given instructions on what to say if stopped by police driving during the lockdown." Vehicles with "slots" - secret compartments to hide items - were also discussed.

On August 19 2020, police then searched the garage unit in Duntocher. The court heard a "chemical process" was taking place there with adulterant to bulk out drugs being removed to make a "purer form" of cocaine to sell.

Callum Hiller, defending, did not ask for George's bail to be continued.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.