THREE men have been jailed over serious organised crime and drug offences following several police raids across the west of Scotland.
The convictions of the three men follow raids by police on seven different properties across Kilmarnock, Irvine and Glasgow.
Officers discovered £208,000 worth of drugs, including cocaine and amphetamine, during their searches in October 2022.
Officers also found more than £211,000 in cash at the addresses.
On Friday, September 6, Alan Stewart, 44, Matthew Cullimore, 37, and Leslie Montgomery, 64, were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Stewart was sentenced to five years and four months while Cullimore and Montgomery were each sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
Police said the three men were believed to have been involved in the acquisition and distribution of Class A and Class B drugs throughout Ayrshire from March 2020 to October 2022.
The men pleaded guilty at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday, August 7.
Detective superintendent Steven Elliot said the force know that individuals and communities are deeply affected by drugs and that they “do not tolerate the harm it brings”.
He said: “This operation undoubtedly caused significant disruption to a large-scale, cross-border supply chain bringing drugs into Scotland.
“Police Scotland will not allow criminals and organised crime groups to profit from other people’s misery.
“This sentencing underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“We know that individuals and communities are deeply affected by the drugs trade and do not tolerate the harm it brings.
“Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs in their community is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101.
“Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for serious casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said police are targeting people who “threaten communities” across Scotland.
She said: “This was a coordinated effort to distribute significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs in Scotland.
“These men are now serving prison sentences thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply.
“With each case of this kind we are reducing the harm that these drugs inflict on Scotland’s communities.
“We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, not only drug couriers but also those who are involved in the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities.
“The Crown will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.”
