3 days ago
Dumbarton cocaine dealer caught trying to evade police
Charles Caldwell, of Castlegreen Street, Dumbarton, admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug when police stopped him last year.
The Crown accepted the 32-year-old was not guilty of possession of cannabis, and two charges of having THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Paisley Sheriff Court heard on June 6 how on January 18, 2024, police were on plain-clothes patrol in the Renfrewshire area when they saw a black BMW.
They followed the vehicle to outside Hillington where it changed lanes on numerous occasions.
Police believed the driver was using "counter surveillance techniques", the court was told.
Once pulled over, officers detected a strong smell of cannabis. They informed the driver and passenger they would be searched for drugs.
On Caldwell, they found a knotted bag in his jacket and more in his underwear. It all tested positive for cocaine.
There were dozens of subdivided deals in the driver's side door pocket - in total 77 knotted wraps.
Analysis found the potential value of all the drugs if subdivided would be £6,190. They concluded that would be "excessive" for personal use.
Sheriff Andrew Berry deferred sentence until July 14 for reports to be prepared.
