A Barrhead dad who was found with £7000 worth of cocaine claims he was using the drugs to cope with the loss of his grandmother.
Bernard Gallagher, 43, stashed the Class-A drugs in a black safe that he kept in a wardrobe in his bedroom.
When cops raided the Gateside Crescent family home they also discovered £2000 in cash and a quantity of American dollars and Euros.
At Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff Eoin McGinty jailed the dad-of-two for 12 months stating the incident had “the hallmarks of a commercial operation.”
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Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald previously told the court: “Around 8.25am on June 20, 2020, police attended at the accused’s property with a search warrant.
“Entry was granted by the accused and officers informed him why they were present.
“The accused stated ‘Listen, I’ve got some coke in my bedroom, my wife doesn’t know, I don’t want her to find out’.
“The accused was taken to the living room with his wife and she was also informed of the search warrant.
“A search of the bedroom began and the accused stated ‘Do you want me to show you where it is?’
“He was warned he was under caution and he pointed to a black safe in a wardrobe.
“He provided a key, which was attached to his Audi car key.
“Officers found a number of items within, including a Tupperware box with white powder. Analysis showed this to be 61.64g of cocaine.
“Another bag of white powder analysis showed this to be 112.59g of cocaine.
“Trace amounts of cocaine were found on a spoon and in other bags. Scales in working order and two black handled knives were also found.
“In addition, $221 was in a drawer in the downstairs bedroom, £2,200 in notes in the top drawer of a bedside table and €315 in mixed notes in the wardrobe.
“Around 10am, an iPhone was seized from the accused and the search was concluded.
“The accused was informed a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Mr McDonald explained that police analysis of the drugs totalled 174.5g and, if sold at wholesale, it would make around £4,700.
He said if the drugs were “sub-divided and sold at their lowest in a street-deal” they would make around £7,000.
Gallagher admitted to being concerned in the supply of cocaine between March 14, 2020 and June 20, 2020.
Defence agent Mr Scullion explained Gallagher turned to drugs to deal with grief. He explained: “The loss of his grandmother, who was a big part in his upbringing, lead to the consumption of cocaine to manage grief.
“Following the loss of his grandmother he inherited a substantial amount of money and this allowed him to purchase a substantial amount of cocaine.
“He is ashamed and knows his behaviour is unacceptable. He is apologetic and remorseful and he has taken steps off his own back to address the issues that’s brought him here and he is now drug and alcohol free following this treatment.
“He fears greatly of any custodial sentence and the impact that will have on his family and his wife.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Eoin McGinty said: “You plead guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class-A drug.
“However, your position is that this wasn’t for commercial gain, however the concept of social supply is not elastic.
“The only appropriate sentence is a custodial sentence.”
Sheriff McGinty jailed Gallagher for 12 months reduced from 18 months.
A Proceeds of Crime hearing was set for June 22.
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