Drugs suspect had thousands in cash 'from being lucky'

James Carlin, 24, admitted claiming he could supply cocaine, but he told a jury he had simply being trying to "act the man" in front of people he believed were big-time criminals. He said he had always managed to save money while doing different jobs, to the extent he had thousands of pounds "lying about the house".

One of the luxuries Carlin is said to have enjoyed was laser eye surgery, for which he had paid 3,190 in cash

He stated: "I won a bet, 3,500, from William Hill's, and I had had bad eyesight all my life and did not want to wear glasses. I had a look at surgery and ended up just paying for it … just a bit of luck."

Carlin, of Hay Gardens, Edinburgh, denies being concerned in the supplying of cocaine between 2007 and 2009, and attempting to be concerned in the supplying of drugs he thought were ecstasy.

The High Court in Edinburgh has heard Carlin was targeted by undercover police posing as criminals in Operation Domino.

In evidence Carlin said "I was just trying to act the man, act something I wasn't. I was just going along with whatever they were asking me."

Carlin denied ever being involved in supplying cocaine or ecstasy.

He said he had served a four-year apprenticeship as a glazier after leaving school, and paid only 20 a week to his parents for his keep. He had been training as a boxer, and had not spent much money. By the end of his apprenticeship he had 6,000 or 7,000 "lying about the house."

Asked about Rolex watches, Carlin said he had three. The first, worth 3,700, he had received in exchange for a motor bike. He sold the watch and bought another, more expensive model which he later sold for 4,700 to buy his third Rolex.

"It was valued at 33,000-35,000 but I only paid 6,000 for it because it was stolen"

Hugh Crease, 54, Carlin's uncle, of Niddrie Mains Drive, Edinburgh, had denied being concerned in the supplying of cocaine, and the Crown dropped the charge when evidence concluded.

The trial continues.