
Scots drug kingpin caught in Morocco after Encrochat servers breached
He used the encrypted phone network Encrochat to source safe houses for drugs, the distrubution of money and conduct deals.
McGregor - who was latterly living in Spain - was caught after European law enforcement breached the Encrochat servers.
McGregor pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to being involved in serious organised crime.
The charge spans between May 2019 and July 2022.
The court heard that Police Scotland led an intelligence-based operation on the Moray crime gang which had links to the west of Scotland.
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Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said: "McGregor, as head of the organised crime group, was responsible for sourcing the drugs, arranging payment, collection of the drugs and the division of those drugs for onward supply."
McGregor directed others to have a "hands on" role in the payment and transportation of drugs.
He then oversaw the supply of the drugs and gathering of the proceeds.
This included the delivery of money to the west of Scotland and Manchester.
The hidden Encrochat network used by criminal was breached by law enforcement which revealed McGregor's actions.
In 2020, McGregor spoke to one associate in which he said that he sold 10 kilos of cocaine per month.
Miss Dalziel said: "Within a period of five months, McGregor on his own account, was concerned in the supply of 50 kilograms of cocaine which would have a street value of between £5 and 7.5 million."
McGregor also stated that he was "shifting" 10 to 20 kilos of cannabis which would had a maximum value of £228,500 per month.
He was also claimed to have made £959,900 within a five-month period from cannabis in 2023.
Miss Dalziel said: "It may reasonably be inferred that in the intervening period between May 2019 and July 2023, McGregor was engaged in a not dissimilar level of wholesale drug dealing."
McGregor was also seen to have expressed his level in the drug dealing chain.
He told one associate: 'I don't talk to normal people anymore. Its a sad existence now. Criminals only kinda thing.'
The Encrochat breach further revealed McGregor directing the transport of diamorphine, amphetamine and adulterants.
It was deemed that if McGregor supplied one kilo of the diamorphine per month, then he would have made upwards of £50,000.
McGregor was also seen to discuss money. Between January 24 and May 29 2020, a total of £276,200 was the subject of conversation.
Drugs which McGregor was involved in were recovered by police on two occasions.
A car was stopped in Aviemore in May 2020 which contained a potential value of £1.4 million of cocaine.
The drugs were found in a JD Sports bag as well as a holdall.
McGregor was told on Encrochat by an associate after the bust: "Bro I've lost five boxes of white."
The two men involved received total prison sentences of nine years and eight months.
Another man was jailed for 32 months as a result of the second bust at his home in Aberlour in July 2022.
Officers recovered £253,000 of cocaine in a shed at the property.
McGregor was seen to be in contact with the associate who he paid £400 per week to hold the drugs.
McGregor also gave the associate the password of "Juventus" when meeting a man who would purchase the drugs.
McGregor was further involved in a drug deal from Manchester to Scotland between March and April 2020.
A premium known as a "Jock Transfer" was put on the price of the drugs which went over the border.
A warrant was issued for McGregor's arrest who was believed to have owned property and lived in Spain.
McGregor was traced to Morocco in July 2024 and was returned to the UK in January 2025.
Sentencing at Edinburgh High Court was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Tom Hughes who continued McGregor's remand in custody meantime.

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