iStockA man who hid a large haul of cocaine near a farm only for a police dog to find it has been jailed for more than four years.
Connor Smart was tracked by police who suspected he was involved in drug trafficking.
He was seen on an electric bike close to Fernhill Farm in Kingswells, Aberdeen, on December 1, 2022.
The officers believed he had stashed narcotics in the area.
They then used a drug detection dog who helped uncover a supermarket bag containing £123,000 of cocaine.
Smart was caught having earlier – on April 15, 2022 – been involved in a handover of £117,000 of the same drug in Sumburgh Avenue in Aberdeen.
The ex-forklift truck driver was jailed for four years and two months at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.
He had previously admitted at a hearing in Edinburgh to two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Lord Armstrong cut the jail term from six and a half years due to the guilty pleas and time he had already spent in custody.
Prosecutor David Dickson told the court earlier how Smart had returned to the area near the farm after the police dog had discovered the drugs.
He said: “Smart was observed to attend on foot and crawl under a barbed wire fence and climb over a wall where the drugs were earlier recovered.
“He was seen to place his hands in the wall and look within. He then left empty handed.”
Police searched his home on December 8. He was not there, but a total of £530 was found
The court heard DNA linked him to the earlier drug seizure near a community centre in Sumburgh Avenue.
Simon Gilbride, defending, said Smart had ran up a £1,700 debt with threats made to him and his family.
He returned to crime – but, between the two offences, had got a job and used his wages to help pay back what was owed.
Mr Gilbride said: “He found himself between a rock and hard place. He was prevailed upon to become involved (in the latter charge).”
Lord Armstrong noted Smart had been on bail at the time.
The judge added: “You participated in the distribution of drugs.
“The court has reiterated time and again that those involved, once brought to justice, can expect a significant custodial sentence.”
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