Drugs trafficker James Stevenson and five others have been sentenced to a total of 49 years in prison for being involved in a scheme to import nearly a tonne of cocaine valued at £76million into Scotland from South America.
Stevenson, 59, was jailed for 20 years at the High Court in Glasgow after he was exposed as the mastermind behind the scheme to import the Class A drugs hidden inside crates of bananas.
He also admitted directing others to commit serious organised crime offences.
Deputy Crown Agent Kenny Donnelly, who leads the fight against serious organised crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “James Stevenson and his criminal associates were involved in drug trafficking on an industrial and global scale.
“But they have been brought to justice thanks to an extensive operation involving Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency, working with COPFS, to investigate and dismantle their network of drug supply.
“This also included Stevenson being directly involved in the manufacturing of millions of Eitzolam tablets at a pill factory in Kent.
“Our message is clear: we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of drug traffickers.
“They will be caught, they will be prosecuted, and they will be brought to account for their crimes through the courts. The sentences imposed reflect the gravity of the offences committed by Stevenson and his co-accused.
“It was clear from the EncroChat messages that, as the ringleader, he directed the group. The cocaine they were planning to distribute would have undoubtedly contributed to misery in our communities.
“These convictions are testament to the forensic and meticulous work undertaken by specialist Crown Office prosecutors to bring Stevenson and his five co-accused to justice and I would like to commend their efforts.”