A dog breeder has been jailed after police uncovered a secret double life as a drug dealer.
Scott Bennett, 41, was jailed for four years and eight months at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday 23 August, after police discovered large quantities of cocaine and cannabis while visiting a property over animal welfare concerns.
Bennett was snared after cops visited his business Platinum Pet Care and K9 Fertility in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, and discovered cocaine with a street value of £23,000 and cannabis worth £49,250 in the dog breeders office. The drug dealing dog breeder used Encrochat phone network to discuss cash he owed to fellow suspected dealers.
Once favoured by criminals, it was disrupted in January 2020 after French and Dutch officers gained access to its servers. The court previously heard how one user on the app was called ‘Original Syrup’ and Scottish police managed to establish that this user was Scott Bennett.
Prosecutor Angela Gray told judge Lord Mulholland that messages showed Bennett discussing large amounts of drugs and money with contacts. She said: “For example, there is reference to Original Syrup owing £53,000 to somebody called landcleaner.
“There is another conversation where Original Syrup offers cocaine for £40,000 and Original Syrup advises another user that he is in a deficit of £50,000.
“There is also a conversation in which the accused indicates that he owes more than 17 balls. STOP officers have indicated that one ounce of cocaine would equate to one ball worth around £1,600 - 17 balls would amount to 476 grams worth of cocaine that the accused owed which amounts to £27,200.”
The dog breeder previously admitted at a hearing in Edinburgh to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis between March and October 2020. He also admitted to being involved with serious organised crime.
Police Scotland welcomed the sentencing of Bennett who has previously been convicted for a string of crimes involving drugs, assault and fraud.
Detective Inspector Laura Sands, of Lanarkshire CID said: “Police Scotland welcomes the sentencing of Scott Bennett. This significant recovery of controlled drugs and subsequent conviction sends a strong message to those who deal drugs in our communities.
"Tackling all forms of serious and organised crime, including those who supply controlled drugs, is a priority for us and we will continue to help protect our communities by targeting those individuals who are involved in this illicit trade.
“I would urge anyone with information about those involved in serious and organised crime to contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111”
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