Members of West of Scotland organised crime gang jailed

A large-scale, intelligence-led Police Scotland operation into the activities of a gang of organised criminals, based in the West of Scotland, has seen two men sent to prison.

Between March and June 2020, Operation Gadget targeted the group and resulted in controlled drugs, including large amounts of cocaine, heroin, Etizolam and mixing agents, worth in the region of £220,000 to the group being seized.

Firearms, including revolvers and shotguns, ammunition and grenades were also recovered.

An industrial pill press and hundreds of thousands of Etizolam tablets were found at a plant haulage and salvage yard in the Johnstone area.

Today, Friday, 18 June 2021, at the High Court in Paisley, David Hough and James Dalziel were sentenced to more than eight years for serious organised crime and drugs offences.

Intelligence about the gang’s activity had been obtained during Operation Venetic – regarded as the most significant ever UK operation into serious and organised crime involving Police Scotland, the National Crime Agency and police forces across the UK.

Hough, one of the ringleaders, had fled Scotland and was later arrested by the Spanish authorities on a European Arrest Warrant and brought back to face prosecution. He was sentenced to six years.

One of his accomplices, James Dalziel, was sent to prison for two years and three months.

Welcoming the sentences, Detective Superintendent David Scott of Greater Glasgow CID, said:

“This investigation successfully targeted one of Scotland’s top-tier organised crime groups. Disrupting the activities of these groups and making the country an extremely hostile environment for them to operate is one of Police Scotland’s top priorities.

"This demonstrates our commitment to the country’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and our resolve to tackle the blight criminals bring to our communities.

“No criminal is untouchable, even those who flee abroad to avoid justice.

“These men were responsible for bringing fear and misery to communities across Scotland and are now facing many years in prison, demonstrating the gravity of the crimes they were involved in.

“I also want to acknowledge the excellent work by Detective Inspector Craig McPhail and the dedicated team of officers whose tireless efforts, working closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, saw the gang brought before the courts.”