Drugs gang smashed by covert operation

Published on Friday 10 October 2008 22:09

A MASSIVE undercover police operation smashed a gang flooding Moray with drugs, a court was told yesterday.

The main players were William Kelbie, 39, a builder, and Donald Stewart, 36, unemployed, who sourced and transported vast quantities of cocaine, amphetamine, Ecstasy and cannabis from the Central Belt to Elgin.

Derick Nelson, prosecuting, said: "The drugs would be taken mainly to Chanonry caravan site in Elgin, a site set aside for travellers, where they would be sub-divided for onward distribution.

"Some of the drugs were hidden or buried on site, awaiting uplift by others in due course."

The court was told that substantial shipments of drugs would be regularly picked up from Cumbernauld or from the A9 at Perth and Dunkeld. The drugs were then passed on to runners and sub-dealers.

Mr Nelson added: "It is impossible to place an exact value on the drugs involved."

He revealed that another member of the gang, Derek Dackers, who was jailed for four years, was transporting 430,000 of cocaine and 40,000 of amphetamine when he was caught.

Mr Nelson added: "The Crown cannot say with any certainty how often particular drugs were available, or exactly how often these deliveries were made."

The court heard that during the police operation the home of Kelbie's girlfriend, Toni MacKenzie, was searched on 9 February this year, and a quantity of cocaine was discovered with a maximum street value of 60,000 along with 8,000 in cash.

A search of his grandmother's home in Buckie in March this year revealed 4,980 in a safe and two plastic boxes containing a total of 63,985 in cash.

Co-accused Owen Gorman, 41, of Newmill Road, Kingsmills, Elgin, was seen in the caravan site on 29 February this year, weighing out what looked like one-ounce bags of powder. Stephen Johnston, 36, of Coulardhill, Lossiemouth, was stopped on 22 March and found to be carrying amphetamine worth 52,000. Grampian Police believe the seizure of the drugs and the detention of the accused will have a significant effect on the supply of drugs in their community.

At an earlier court hearing, Kelbie, of Westerton Cottages, Arradoul, Buckie, admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine.

He also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of amphetamine.

Gorman, 41, admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin.

Donald Stewart, of Chanonry caravan site, admitted being concerned in the supply of Ecstasy and cannabis resin.

Johnston, 36, admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine.

The offences took place at various locations in Elgin including the Chanonry caravan site.

MacKenzie, 21, of Victoria Crescent, Elgin, and James Stewart, 33, walked free from court after their not guilty pleas were accepted.

Temporary judge John Morrice deferred sentence on Kelbie, Gorman, Donald Stewart and Johnston until next month and remanded all four in custody.