Drug accused 'spent £2k on 5-star Vegas stay'

AN alleged drug dealer who was targeted by an undercover police operation splashed out thousands of pounds on a four-day trip to Las Vegas where he stayed at a luxury five-star hotel, a court heard.

James Carlin spent 2277 on the holiday in the gambling mecca, where he had a room at the Bellagio Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard yesterday that the 24-year-old had receipts for $6020 exchanged to spend on the trip from the Cheque Centre in Portobello's High Street.

The spending spree was detailed at the start of Carlin's trial for allegedly dealing cocaine in pubs and other addresses in Edinburgh between January 2007 and February last year.

Receipts and other paperwork linked to the purchases were found during a raid on his home in Hay Gardens, Niddrie, on February 11 last year.

Advocate Depute Morag Jack told the court that Carlin had booked a two-night "match break" package to Manchester to see Manchester City play Arsenal in September 2007 at a cost of 898.88.

Carlin had also gone to Optical Express in Princes Street in January last year and paid more than 3190 for laser eye surgery.

His other purchases included a 990 designer handbag from a Louis Vuitton shop in the Capital's Multrees Walk, and an Armani hooded top for 97.50.

Officers also found almost 1800 in cash at his home.

Carlin denies charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and also denies a charge of attempting to supply benzylpiperazine, falsely believing it was Ecstasy.

Also in the dock is Hugh Crease, 53, of Niddrie Mains Drive. He denies being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possessing diazepam on February 9 last year.

The trial is the result of months of undercover work by detectives engaged in Operation Domino, launched by Lothian and Borders Police in 2007.

The court heard that undercover officers were drafted in to frequent locations including the Jock's Lodge pub and Scottie's bar in Northfield Broadway.

A witness identified only as "Kev" - who said he had been "a covert operator" for eight years - gave evidence from behind screens in a courtroom closed to the public.

He described how he was tasked with operating in the Jock's Lodge and Northfield area of the city in a bid to get to know Carlin, who police believed was involved in drug dealing.

Giving evidence, "Kev" said: "I put out the story that I had problems from elsewhere and that is why I was stopping in Edinburgh. For want of a better way of expressing it, that I was involved in criminality."

He told how he sold Carlin a PlayStation 3 for 200 and also tried to interest him in buying a bullet-proof vest.

The undercover officers said he also asked about getting some cocaine and was told by Carlin: "It would not be me. It would be someone to get as much as you want. How much do you need?"

Carlin also told him: "Just give me a bell and I will get it sorted for you," Kev told the court.

The court heard that both audio and visual surveillance was used during the police operation, while Kev wrote up regular reports.

The trial continues.