Google MapsA senior pharmacy worker faces jail for a two-year drug racket at the chemist where she was employed.
Ann Marie Doyle was caught after a workmate found boxes of tablets that she had hidden in her handbag.
The 44-year-old had been selling pills at the Tollcross Pharmacy in Glasgow’s East End that she had been trusted to handle as a drug dispenser.
It emerged almost 25,000 Valium and prescription painkillers were unaccounted for.
A check of Doyle’s phone revealed 32 users looking to source drugs from her – including heroin.
Doyle appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court where she pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges of stealing as well being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs between February 2019 and December 2020.
Doyle, of Coatbridge, had her bail continued pending sentencing in the New Year.
Fiscal Lauren Sangray explained how Doyle was caught after a colleague went to a communal staffing area.
The senior dispenser’s handbag was sitting on a chair.
Miss Sangray: “Inside, there were ten boxes of diazepam, each containing 28 tablets.
“The diazepam were wrapped in cellophane which is how they are received from the supplier.”
The workmate later reported the find to their boss.
A probe was launched and Doyle initially denied any involvement.
A pill audit was carried out, which revealed 12,333 diazepam tablets and 12,357 dihydrocodeine painkillers in various doses were missing.
Three mobile phones were then found during a search of Doyle’s home.
She told officers: “I do not know what to say to you. I know myself I did not do it.”
A forensic examination of one phone disclosed the 32 contacts asking for drugs.
These included diazepam, dihydrocodeine, temazepam, morphine, diamorphine, fentanyl, pregabalin and tramadol.
It was stated that due to the “absence of a legitimate explanation, this shows the onward sale of drugs.”
No total value of the narcotics dealt was revealed during the hearing.
Patrick Brechany, defending, told the court that Doyle was experiencing “financial problems” at the time which have now been dealt with.
Sentence was deferred on the mum-of-one until next month pending background reports by Sheriff Owen Mullan.
He said: “From a position of responsibility and trust you chose to sell drugs for profit.”
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