News / More than 10 years for Liverpool drug brothers
TWO brothers from Liverpool who mailed heroin worth almost £30,000 to Lerwick by post were jailed for a combined total of more than 10 years at the High Court in Aberdeen on Monday.
Paul Smith, aged 27, admitted sending two consignments of the Class A drug to Shetland between 19 and 21 October 2010 and between 19 and 22 February 2011, the drugs having a maximum street value of £19,770.
His 30 year old brother Anthony pled guilty to sending heroin worth up to £7,890 to Lerwick between 13 January and 22 February last year.
Both men had lengthy criminal records, particularly the elder brother, and were jailed for six years each by judge Lord Uist.
The sentences were backdated to when the pair were first put behind bars on remand, so Anthony Smith received five years and seven months while his brother was given five years and two months.
Lord Uist warned that sentences would have to get harsher if they did not deter others from operating the drugs supply chain from Liverpool to north east Scotland.
“Criminals from Liverpool who are concerned in the supplying of heroin or any other class A drug in this area must come to realise that the game is not worth the candle,” he said.
Local communities in Shetland and Aberdeen were thanked by the police who caught the two men after a complex inquiry under the name Operation Limehouse, covering three force areas in England and Scotland.
Detective inspector Alex Dowall, who led the investigation, said: “These men were intent on flooding the streets of Aberdeen and Shetland with class A drugs and were willing to take great risks in the process in order to turn a profit.”
He said Monday’s convictions should serve as a warning to others intent on bringing drugs into the north east of Scotland.
He added: “It must also be said that the assistance provided by local communities in Aberdeen and Shetland in bring these individuals to justice was invaluable.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.