Man in court to recover seized cash

A BUSINESSMAN who was cleared of being part of a drug gang which netted £1 million of cocaine is trying to recover £1545 seized from him during the police investigation.

Gary Yorke, 45, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday to continue his battle to recover the cash, which was confiscated by officers.

Mr Yorke, who represented himself in court, said that the money was intended to be paid out in wages, and was found in envelopes awaiting delivery.

A further hearing was set for July 26.

The cash had been seized under Proceeds of Crime legislation.

Yorke was acquitted of cocaine-dealing charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in December.

His co-accused, Kenneth Glen, 25, who worked at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Prestonpans, East Lothian, pleaded guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work.

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