News / Heroin dispute
A LERWICK man targetted by undercover police to catch Shetland drug dealers has claimed he only supplied them with heroin because he felt sorry for them.
Fifty year old John Smith, of 15 Lover’s Loan, pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug between 12 and 16 September last year.
Smith was one of six people detained by Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit during a sting operation in the isles.
Last month 39 year old Ralph Halcrow, of Brind, Cunninsgburgh, was jailed for three months for selling the undercover officers two £20 wraps of heroin and four diazepam pills.
Sentence on Smith was deferred until Thursday for background reports, when the court was told the officers approached him saying they were suffering from drug withdrawals.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said that when he was first approached, Smith gave them some of his own drugs and advised them to seek help from the relevant authorities.
They had returned, eventually came to his house pressing money on him, and he had given them more drugs just to get them to go away.
However procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie refused to accept the argument, saying this was an operation “targetted at specific individuals based on intelligence they had”.
Smith stuck to his story, so Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence for a hearing to test the evidence on 22 January.
Last month the sheriff said that Smith could expect a jail sentence for the crime.
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.