Ian Sweeney, 53, of Salsburgh, North Lanarkshire, was sentenced to two years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow on 15 October 2024 after he admitted being involved in serious organised crime and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, including cocaine and cannabis between March and May 2020.
Sweeney’s crimes were exposed when police discovered he was using the handle “Bug-sweep” on the EncroChat messaging platform and was in contact with over 100 members of organised crime groups.
The SCPO was granted following a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today (12 December 2024) and will be in place for four years after his release from prison.
The order imposes significant and stringent restrictions on his activities after he is released from prison and is designed to protect the public and prevent Sweeney returning to crime. Breach of a SCPO carries a potential five-year prison sentence.
Sweeney will be required to notify the police of his movements and restrict his use of communication devices and anti-surveillance technical equipment.
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS, said:
“As well as prosecuting criminals, COPFS is using all the tools available to us to protect Scottish communities from the harm done by serious organised crime gangs.
"An SCPO places significant restrictions on Ian Sweeney, allowing for intensive monitoring and is designed to restrict his ability to return to serious organised crime once released from prison.
“Prosecutors will continue to apply for SCPOs whenever appropriate as part of our commitment to use every means available to keep Scotland’s communities safe.”