Drug gang golf pro in a hole as jail awaits

A GOLF professional at a historic Lothians club is facing a lengthy jail sentence after becoming the 11th member of a drug gang to be convicted in a police operation that netted nearly £1 million of cocaine.

Kenneth Glen, 25, who worked as the assistant professional at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Prestonpans, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday to charges of supplying cocaine.

The gang were targeted by Operation Tine, a police surveillance operation, which has identified £2m of cash and property to be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Detectives believed up to 20 people were part of the supply network, and several “couriers” have already been jailed after being caught with drugs.

Glen’s co-accused, Andrew Baillie, 37, was also convicted yesterday after admitting supplying cocaine, but other defendants walked free during a 20-day trial due to a lack of evidence.

Businessman Gary Yorke, 45, of Quarrybank, Dalkeith, John Russell, 46, of Trafalgar Lane, Leith, Darren Macholecki, 33, of Shotts, Lanarkshire, and Lee Calder, 30, a prisoner at Saughton jail, all appeared in the dock alongside Glen and Baillie, but were acquitted of cocaine-dealing charges.

But police warned that assets belonging to the acquitted men could still be seized.

Glen, of Dalkeith, admitted supplying cocaine for personal use at various locations across Scotland between February and November last year, including at the Royal Musselburgh club.

Baillie, who has three previous drug convictions, admitted supplying cocaine at various locations in Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and Livingston between July 16, 2010 and November 10, 2010.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Scott told the Evening News: “This was an intelligence-led operation which began in 2009 and involved a core team of 15 officers.

“Glen was the assistant professional at the golf course. He was involved in selling drugs to people at the club as well as outside it.