Three men convicted for serious and organised crime and drugs offences
Three men have been jailed in connection with serious and organised crime and drugs offences in Ayrshire and Glasgow.
Alan Stewart (44), Matthew Cullimore (37) and Leslie Montgomery (64), were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, 6 September, 2024. Alan Stewart was sentenced to five years and four months. Matthew Cullimore and Leslie Montgomery were each sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
On Friday, 28 October, 2022 officers from Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division, supported by officers from the Operational Support Division, Ayrshire Division and Greater Glasgow Division, executed warrants at seven properties in Kilmarnock, Irvine and Glasgow.
The group targeted were believed to be involved in the acquisition, adulteration and distribution of Class A and Class B controlled drugs throughout Kilmarnock, and the wider Ayrshire area, from March 2020 to October 2022.
Following the search a variety of drugs, including cocaine and amphetamine, were recovered from the properties with an estimated value of around £208,000. Officers also seized over £211,000 cash from the addresses.
The men were arrested and charged and pleaded guilty when they appeared at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday, 7 August, 2024.
Detective Superintendent Steven Elliot said: "This operation undoubtedly caused significant disruption to a large-scale, cross-border supply chain bringing drugs into Scotland.
“Police Scotland will not allow criminals and organised crime groups to profit from other people’s misery.
“This sentencing underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“We know that individuals and communities are deeply affected by the drugs trade and do not tolerate the harm it brings.
“Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs in their community is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101. Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Serious Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said:
“This was a coordinated effort to distribute significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs in Scotland.
“These men are now serving prison sentences thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply.
“With each case of this kind we are reducing the harm that these drugs inflict on Scotland’s communities.
“We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, not only drug couriers but also those who are involved in the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities.
“The Crown will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.”
