Drugs gang 'lieutenant' faces lengthy jail term

Published on Monday 21 December 2009 21:46

A HIGH-RANKING figure in a major drug-supplying operation is facing years in jail after appearing in court yesterday.

David Togher, 24, is the latest member of the gang, which operated in Edinburgh, to admit his part in the distribution of large quantities of cocaine.

Police recovered drugs worth around 500,000 in their efforts to bust the gang, and while the others who have gone through the courts and received jail sentences of up to five years were said to have been merely footsoldiers, Togher was described as a lieutenant.

"His position was a level below the leader of the group," said the prosecutor, Gary Allan, QC.

Togher, of Danderhall Crescent, Danderhall, Midlothian, was allowed to remain on bail following his appearance at the High Court in Edinburgh. He is due to be sentenced next month.

He admitted being concerned in the supplying of cocaine between July and December 2007, at addresses in Midlothian, Edinburgh and Liverpool. He has a criminal record covering nine convictions for motoring offences, dishonesty, violence and a drugs-related crime.

Mr Allan said: "In July 2007, as a result of previous intelligence and information gathered, an extensive police operation was instigated to identify, target and actively to dismantle a criminal network working from the south side of Edinburgh.

"During the operation, it became apparent that the accused, David Togher, was a substantial and significant operator in a serious and organised crime group involved in the supply of cocaine."

Detectives had learned from surveillance and from analysing the records of mobile phones attributable to Togher that while he was not the gang's main man, he occupied a rank of lieutenant, said Mr Allan. "His role was identified as a manager/supervisor/facilitator for other subordinate males who physically did the fetching and carrying, and sundry other physical tasks which are part of a drug distribution operation.

"These were the men whom it was established in due course were managed by the accused, who maintained a very close monitoring and direction over their activities," he added.

Police associated Togher, who had once been in the army, with a number of people in the drugs trade. Some had connections with each other, but Togher was a common link to them all. They were involved in "the large-scale distribution of cocaine".

The mobile phone records had shown "very frequent texts and calls" by Togher to the distributors at or about the time of their drug activity and their detention.

"The police estimate that in the period between 1 July until 13 December, 2007, they have recovered cocaine with a total potential street value in excess of 450,000," Mr Allan said.