10-05-2025
Glasgow man tried to smuggle drugs into Barlinnie in snack packet
Ross Loen went to the East End jail at noon on October 12, 2023, to visit an inmate.
In the visiting room, an employee watched as the 28-year-old bought a snack from a vending machine, took out an unknown bag from his person and put it inside the packaging.
He then gave this snack packet to the prisoner.
A worker approached Loen and took away the item, with the suspicious package inside.
The Summerston resident was taken to another room as police were called.
When they arrived, he was cautioned, arrested and taken to London Road station.
In the bag, five grams of white powder was found - later identified as Pregabalin - along with Itozolam tablets.
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Loen appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week after he pleaded guilty to attempting to bring the substances to the facility.
The court heard that the drugs' value in prison could be three to five times the street value.
The pills were estimated to be worth £90-100, while the value of the Pregabalin could not be provided because it was in powder form.
Loen's lawyer said: "He recognises this is a serious matter. He had significant debt to drug dealers. He had to carry out this exercise to deal with this and he stupidly did."
Sheriff Joanna McDonald reiterated: "This is a serious matter and the value of any drugs in a prison setting is higher than on the streets."
Loen was tagged for three months, forcing him to stay at him between 7pm and 7am each day.
