Haulage firm worker used company vehicles to run drug trafficking operation

A haulage firm worker who used the company’s vehicles to help run a lucrative drug trafficking operation has been jailed for more than four years.

Russell Smith was described as a “wholesaler” of large hauls of cocaine during the Covid pandemic in 2020.

The 41-year-old communicated with associates on EncroChat under the nickname “On Top Non Stop”.

He was caught when the encrypted phone network used by criminals was smashed by the law authorities that year.

Smith pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime.

Lord Cubie sentenced him to four years and three months for what he branded “corrosive, exploitative and damaging” drug dealing.

The charge spanned between March and June 2020.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar stated: “During the period, Smith had access to vehicles belonging to a haulage company he worked for.

“He was able to use them and drivers to facilitate his activities.”

The court was told of various chats Smith had with associates on EncroChat.

This included messages about him selling 15kg of cocaine and “wishing” that he had another 50kg to offload.

In one conversation, Smith agreed to buy £385,000 of the drug.

The seller then sent a photo to him, but it was unclear if the deal went through.

Mr McVicar added: “Smith stated he was buying for £38,5000 (per kg) and putting out for £42,000 (per kg)…indicating a profit margin of around £3,5000 per kg at that stage.”

There were further discussions about cash and substances used to bulk out drugs for profit.

Figures mentioned included £30,000 to be paid to Smith.

Smith’s properties in Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, as well as in the north-east of Glasgow, were later raided.

Officers only found an inoperable encrypted phone and documents related to his finances.

Mr McVicar told the court: “The evidence implicating Smith comes from the description of events found in the messages between him and others involved in the cocaine dealing activities.

“It is not always possible to tell whether a particular transaction has concluded.

“The messages indicated that between March 2020 and June 2020, Smith was a wholesaler of cocaine who acquired substantial quantities in bulk and sold on in kilogram quantities with a profit of around £3,500 per kilogram.”

The court was told Smith blamed the “financial challenges” of Covid to getting involved in crime. He described himself as a “middleman”.

Sentencing, Lord Cubie said Smith had a “more sustained role” in the trafficking, stating it was not “fleeting or peripheral”.

The judge said: “I proceed on the basis that the motivation was finance for yourself and not, as you hint, some attempt to keep the business existing.

“The supply and use of cocaine is corrosive, exploitative and damaging to society.

“It helps to fund serious and organised crime as well as cause death and disruption.

“You do not appear to appreciate this.”

Smith was told the jail term would have been five years and three months, but for the guilty plea.