Drugs gang member jailed after £450,000 of cocaine seized

Former soldier David Togher, 24, was told he would have faced a sentence of seven years imprisonment, but for his guilty plea.

Togher was caught after police launched an operation to smash a criminal group working out of the Southside of Edinburgh.

Advocate depute Gary Allan QC told the High Court in Edinburgh that Togher was identified as "a manager/supervisor/facilitator" in the organisation.

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

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

"Whilst he was not the principal in the organised crime group he occupied a role as one of the organisation's lieutenants. His position was a level below the leader of the group," said Mr Allan.

The advocate depute said Togher had managed others in the organisation and maintained "very close control, monitoring and direction over their activities."

Togher, formerly of Danderhall Crescent, Danderhall, in Midlothian, earlier admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug between 1 July and 13 December in 2007 in Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg, in Midlothian, and Liverpool.

Mr Allan said that as a result of operations police estimated during that period that they recovered cocaine with a total potential street value in excess of 450,000.

Others in the drugs network were also arrested. Thomas Harvey was jailed for five years, Ryan Moore for 40 months and Paul Hislen for 29 months after admitting cocaine trafficking charges.

The prosecutor said they were "pawns in the operation" who were involved in the preparation and supply of drugs to street level dealers.

Defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC said Togher had earlier received a head injury that left him at "death's door" and could require further treatment.

He said Togher was "a senior fetcher and carrier rather than a player" and no confiscation proceedings were pending against him to seize any crime profits.

Mr Jackson said there had been negotiations over "a matter of some delicacy" and the Crown had previously been content for Togher's bail to be continued as he was in a position to be of some assistance, although that had not come to pass.

Lady Dorrian told Togher that in sentencing him she had to take into account the role he played and the period of his involvement in the offence.