A Perth resident has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a significant drug trafficking operation that saw £4 million worth of cocaine seized by authorities. Brian Skinner, 58, was apprehended during a drug exchange in Glasgow’s Dennistoun area on October 12, 2023. He appeared alongside his co-accused, 35-year-old Shaun Willis, at the High Court in Glasgow. Both men had previously entered guilty pleas for their involvement in supplying the class A drug.
Skinner received a four-and-a-half-year sentence from Judge Lord Mulholland, while Willis was given a longer term of five years and three months. The court heard details of the operation, which began when law enforcement received intelligence about a large cocaine shipment entering Scotland in a SEAT Cupra. Willis, who resides in Southport, England, was observed driving the vehicle north on the M74 motorway. Upon arriving in Glasgow, Willis parked on Dunragit Street next to an Audi A4 driven by Skinner. Officers witnessed the transfer of packages between the vehicles and promptly intervened. High-Purity Cocaine Seized
A search of Skinner’s Audi uncovered 25 taped parcels containing cocaine, while another 15 packages were found in Willis’s SEAT. Subsequent analysis revealed the cocaine to have a purity level as high as 78%. Had the illicit substances reached street level in one-gram deals, the estimated street value could have exceeded £4 million. This substantial seizure underscores the scale of the operation and its potential impact on communities in Perth and Kinross and beyond. Skinner’s Perthshire Connections
Skinner’s defense counsel, Graeme Brown, highlighted his client’s involvement with a local addiction therapy business. Brown portrayed Skinner as an individual who has previously contributed positively to society and expressed regret over his participation in the drug operation. He emphasized the unfortunate nature of the situation, given Skinner’s age and potential for continued contributions to the community. Meanwhile, Willis’s lawyer, David Nicholson, explained that his client’s role had been that of a ‘one-day courier,’ motivated by a personal debt and the promise of a £2,000 payment. The judge considered these factors during sentencing. This case serves as a reminder of the insidious reach of drug trafficking, affecting even those who may have been previously involved in combatting addiction.
The sentencing of a Perth man in this multi-million-pound drug bust highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local communities in tackling organized crime and substance abuse. The high purity of the cocaine seized raises further concerns about the potential risks posed to public health and safety. This incident may prompt local authorities to review and strengthen existing strategies to combat drug-related crime, while community-based support services play a vital role in assisting individuals affected by addiction and preventing them from becoming involved in such activities.
Skinner received a four-and-a-half-year sentence from Judge Lord Mulholland, while Willis was given a longer term of five years and three months. The court heard details of the operation, which began when law enforcement received intelligence about a large cocaine shipment entering Scotland in a SEAT Cupra. Willis, who resides in Southport, England, was observed driving the vehicle north on the M74 motorway. Upon arriving in Glasgow, Willis parked on Dunragit Street next to an Audi A4 driven by Skinner. Officers witnessed the transfer of packages between the vehicles and promptly intervened. High-Purity Cocaine Seized
A search of Skinner’s Audi uncovered 25 taped parcels containing cocaine, while another 15 packages were found in Willis’s SEAT. Subsequent analysis revealed the cocaine to have a purity level as high as 78%. Had the illicit substances reached street level in one-gram deals, the estimated street value could have exceeded £4 million. This substantial seizure underscores the scale of the operation and its potential impact on communities in Perth and Kinross and beyond. Skinner’s Perthshire Connections
Skinner’s defense counsel, Graeme Brown, highlighted his client’s involvement with a local addiction therapy business. Brown portrayed Skinner as an individual who has previously contributed positively to society and expressed regret over his participation in the drug operation. He emphasized the unfortunate nature of the situation, given Skinner’s age and potential for continued contributions to the community. Meanwhile, Willis’s lawyer, David Nicholson, explained that his client’s role had been that of a ‘one-day courier,’ motivated by a personal debt and the promise of a £2,000 payment. The judge considered these factors during sentencing. This case serves as a reminder of the insidious reach of drug trafficking, affecting even those who may have been previously involved in combatting addiction.
The sentencing of a Perth man in this multi-million-pound drug bust highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local communities in tackling organized crime and substance abuse. The high purity of the cocaine seized raises further concerns about the potential risks posed to public health and safety. This incident may prompt local authorities to review and strengthen existing strategies to combat drug-related crime, while community-based support services play a vital role in assisting individuals affected by addiction and preventing them from becoming involved in such activities.