Drug dealer jailed for 16 months

A man caught with cocaine and heroin worth more than £3,000 when a car was searched at Bonawe has been jailed for 16 months.

 

Douglas Haggart appeared from custody at Oban Sheriff Court on Wednesday July 12.

 

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to being concerned in supplying the drugs at a lay-by on the B845 near Bonawe on April 20.

 

Procurator Fiscal Kavin Ryan-Hume told the court police were in an unmarked car when they spotted Haggart in the passenger seat of a grey Seat car.

 

Another man was sitting in the driver's seat and a third man was approaching them carrying two bags of shopping.

 

Haggart was wanted by police in connection with another matter.

 

Mr Ryan-Hume said: “Police informed Haggart he was under arrest. Officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis and the men and car were detained and searched.”

 

A rucksack containing packages of white and brown powder was found in the passenger footwell. The rucksack was taken back to Oban Police Station where it was searched and various packages were recovered.

 

The Fiscal said the 79 grams of cocaine was valued at £2,880 and the 11 grams of heroin was worth between £400 - £500.

 

Haggart’s solicitor Jane MacNiven said he became involved in the supply of drugs to fund his own cocaine addiction. She said he accepted custody was the only likely outcome.

 

During his time on remand he has been receiving treatment for his problem.

 

Ms MacNiven asked the sheriff to consider that while Haggart was old enough to know better, he was also young enough to change his ways.

 

Sentencing, Sheriff Gerry Sinclair said: “In assessing the appropriate level of sentence I am obliged to take into account a number of factors.

 

“I note the 79 grams of cocaine, the majority of which had been separated into 98 individual wraps. The diamorphine was in two separate bags.

 

“You yourself, as someone who suffers from addiction to drugs, should be well aware of the harm caused by the supply of Class A drugs, both to the individual and wider society.

 

“Your agent is quite right to identify that at 25, you are old enough to know better. There are a number of mitigating factors. One is your age. In so far as you are old enough to change your ways.”

 

The guilty plea and the fact Haggart had been in custody since April were taken into consideration.

 

He was sentenced to 16 months for the cocaine and one year for the heroin.

 

The prison terms will run concurrently and will be back dated to April 21.