Alexandria house used as cocaine factory

Nov 6 2009

TWO men who were involved in running a cocaine factory at a house in Alexandria were caught as part of a major police investigation into drug dealing in the west of Scotland.

At the High Court in Glasgow Scott Lewis, 46, and Malcolm Brand, 30, were jailed for 46 months and three years respectively.

Temporary judge Mark Stewart QC heard that Lewis and Brand were caught red-handed transporting cocaine with a potential maximum street value of £280,000.

Jailing them, Judge Stewart told the pair that, but for their early pleas of guilty, they would each have served six years.

A search of Brand’s deceased brother’s home at 11 Allan Crescent, Alexandria, revealed a 125 ton hydraulic press for pressing cocaine, as well as mixing bowls which contained traces of the drug.

Prosecutor Kevin McCallum said: “This case came to light as a part of a large-scale operation investigating a network of people involved in the distribution of controlled drugs in the west of Scotland.

“Surveillance of others led to police obtaining information that they should direct their attention to Scott Lewis at his home at 1A Stirling Street, Renton.”

The court was told that Lewis travelled to Brand’s house in Allan Crescent and they both drove away in a Renault Laguna. In the car park of The Stonefield public house in Milton, they collected a package from a man sitting in the car park and drove back to Alexandria.

At 1.20pm police stopped the car in Allan Crescent and detained both men.

The car was then searched and a 994.2 grammes block of cocaine, which was 78 per cent pure, was found along with bags of benzocaine, a mixing agent for cocaine.

In 11 Allan Crescent bags of benzocaine, the press and food mixers were found.

In the house next door – number 13 – where Brand lived with his father and his other brother, police found amphetamine with a maximum potential street value of £210,000.

Mr McCallum added: “The benzocaine recovered from 11 Allan Crescent, coupled with the equipment seized – particularly the press and its components – would clearly indicate that this was a mixing and packing facility.

“While the Crown can say there is evidence of some previous involvement by both accused in the mixing and packaging of cocaine, it is not possible to say how often this had taken place.”

Lewis and Brand admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine at Allan Crescent, Alexandria, and The Stonefield, between June 1 and 21, last year.

Brand also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of amphetamine between June 1 and 21, last year.

Advocate Thomas Ross, representing Lewis, said: “The cocaine would have been taken, packaged and returned to the owner. My client would have benefited only to the extent of a few hundred pounds.”

Advocate Ronnie Renucci, representing Brand, said: “Up until 2007 he worked as a steel fitter in Belfast. Tragically his brother was knocked down and killed and he returned to assist his father.

“Although he was working he became involved in using cocaine and had accrued a debt of £1500. His understanding was if he became involved his drug debt would be written off.

“His involvement with the amphetamine was to provide a safe house for it.”